Athletics
Sports Summary
Athletics has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1960 and events are open to male and female athletes in all disability groups eligible for Paralympic sport.
Click here to learn more about Athletics.
Advances in technology and athletes' dedication to the sport have made once unimaginable feats become realities. Some compete in wheelchairs, others with prostheses and athletes with blindness/visual impairment compete with the guidance of a sighted companion.
Athletes compete according to their functional classifications in each event and these events are continually being redefined to include as many athletes as possible.
Para-Athletics is governed internationally by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). In Australia, the Australian Paralympic Committee is the National Federation for the sport. Through a mainstreaming Agreement, the APC funds Athletics Australia to deliver the Paralympic Preparation Program.
Events/Disciplines
- Track – 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 4X100m, 4X400m
- Field – Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, Club Throw, Long Jump, High Jump
- Road – Marathon
- Combined – Pentathlon
Classification
Classes T/F 11-13: Athletes with a visual impairment. Athletes are classified into three classes, according to the degree of vision loss. The lower the number the higher the level of vision loss, T/F11 is for athletes with no sight, and T/F13 is for athletes who are legally blind.
Class T/F 20: Athletes with an intellectual disability.
Classes T/F 31-38: Athletes with a physical disability. Athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or similar disabilities who are ambulant or use a wheelchair. Athletes who use a wheelchair to compete are in classes 31–34 and athletes who compete standing are in classes 35 – 38.
Classes T/F 40-46: Athletes with a physical disability. Athletes who are ambulant, with different levels of limb deficiency or limb loss, short stature, or congenital limb impairments.
Classes T 51-54, F 51-58: Athletes with a physical disability. Athletes who have different levels of spinal cord injuries or amputations who compete using wheelchairs (track events) or secured throwing frames (field events)
In all disability groups, athletes are given classifications with a prefix T or F to indicate the different events, T indicates track events and F indicates field events.
View the resources below:
- Fact sheet detailing further information about athletics classification.
- The Australian classification masterlist for athletics.
Athletes who have been nationally or internationally classified as per IPC Classification Rules or APC Classification Policy are automatically included in the Masterlist. Information will be updated as classifications occur.
Rules & Equipment
Many athletics events require specific sports equipment for example, the discus, shot or javelin. In addition athletes may use certain assistive devices as specified in the IPC Athletics rules. This technology continues to advance at a rapid rate.
Wheelchairs are considered sports equipment in track and field events. Athletics wheelchairs tend to be very lightweight. The dimensions and features of wheelchairs are clearly specified in the IPC Athletics rules.
Prosthetic devices may be used by amputees. These have been specifically developed to withstand the demands of sports competition. IPC rules require the use of leg prostheses in track events; however, the use of prostheses in field events is optional.
Rope tethers or other devices may be used by runners with a visual impairment to link with their sighted guides. Acoustic devices (or a sighted "caller") may be used to indicate take-off in jumping events, throwing target areas, etc.
More information can be found on the following sites.
Athletics Australia
