The classification process
Classification is carried out through a process called “Athlete Evaluation” which comprises of procedures to assess athletes and the allocation of Para Sport Class and Para Sport Class Status.
What is the Athlete Evaluation?
The Athlete Evaluation process is conducted by trained classifiers appointed within each National Sporting Organisation (NSO) who are specialist medical and/or technical experts.
Athlete Evaluation: Three fundamental questions
Does the athlete have an Eligible Impairment for this Para sport?
An athlete wishing to participate in Para sport competition must demonstrate at least one medically and/or clinically diagnosed Underlying Health Condition that leads to one of the seven eligible impairment types.
Athletes are required to submit a completed Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF) or a National Eligibility Form along with supporting medical information to the relevant NSO for the initial assessment to be undertaken. For more information, check out our Physical, Vision and Intellectual Impairment sections.
Does the athlete’s Eligible Impairment meet the Minimum Impairment Criteria?
Each Para sport’s classification rules describe how severe an Eligible Impairment must be for an athlete to be considered eligible to compete. These criteria are referred to as Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC). MIC must ensure that an athlete’s Eligible Impairment affects the extent to which the athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the Para sport.
The assessment of whether an athlete meets the MIC for a Para sport is carried out by the medical classifier who assesses the severity of the impairment (medical assessment). For those Para sports that require a technical assessment, this will be completed by a technical classifier (technical assessment).
Note: If an athlete does not meet the MIC to compete in a Para sport, this does not question the presence of genuine impairment.
Which sport class should the athlete compete in?
After an athlete has been designated as eligible for a Para sport, the classification panel will assess which Para Sport Class the athlete will compete in. The Para Sport Class groups athletes together for competition according to how much their impairment affects their abilities to carry out the skills of the Para sport.
Types of classification
Provisional Classification
Provisional classification is a temporary classification and valid for a limited period of time, as dictated by the International Federation (IF) or NSO and may be subject to change upon classification assessment by a Para sport’s specific classification panel.
Provisional classification may be allocated to an athlete for a specific Para sport in one of, but not limited to, the following situations:
- At an international event where a classification panel is not available
- At a national event where a classification panel is not available
- As a national entry level for athletes new to Para sport
In New Zealand, a Provisional classification is often allocated to an athlete ahead of being observed in-person by a classification panel. Each Para sport determines this process so please contact your NSO for more information.
National Classification
A national classification is a Para sport specific classification carried out by a trained classification panel. The classification process is defined by the IPC and aligned to IF Classification Rules.
A formal evaluation process is undertaken during national classification, this may include but is not limited to physical, technical and observation assessments. A national classification is generally offered at national or endorsed Para sport events.
International Classification
To compete at international level, an athlete must be classified by an IF appointed international classification panel and their decision overrules any previous classification decision taken by a national classification panel.
For more information about international classification requirements, contact your NSO or IF.
