SportsAthletics
What does the sport involve?
Track and Field events. There are Track events at most distances — 100 metres, 200 metres. 400 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres, 3000 metres and 10,000 metres, a 4 x 400 metres Relay and a Marathon.
There are 7 Field events — Discus, Shot, Javelin, Club Throwing, Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump, and a Pentathlon event.
There are more participants and events in Track and Field than in any other sport in the Paralympics. In some events specialist equipment is used. In wheelchair racing events wheelchairs specifically designed for racing are used. In some of the Field events throwing frames are permitted.
With advances in technology the range and design of prosthetics available to lower limb amputees is now extensive. This has provoked some controversy and debate, as the performance of some paralympic athletes has pushed boundaries so that they are now in some instances out performing able bodied athletes.
Who can compete?
Open to : Men and women. All disability groups with athletes classified according to functional ability, with events for athletes with spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, stroke, learning disability and visual impairment.
In the listed categories 'T' is for track athlete,'F' is for field athlete, followed by numbers which identifies the category the athlete competes in.
11 — 13 are for athletes with a visual impairment. Blind athletes compete in class 11 and can run with a sighted guide and field athletes in this classare also permitted acoustic signals such as electronic aids, voice and use of clapping
20 is for athletes who have an intellectual impairment but this category was suspended for the past 2 Paralympic Games and is still under discussion
31 — 38 athletes with cerebral palsy
41 — 46 athletes who are amputees and athletes other physical disabilities. Athletes competing in 42 — 44 wear a prosthesis. This is optional in classes 45 — 46
Where do I start if I think I want to try this sport?
The national body responsible for organisation of this sport is:
UK Athletics, Athletics House, Central Boulevard, Blythe Valley Park, Solihull, West Midlands B90 8AJ
www.ukathletics.net/clubs - has a disability athletics section
www.ukathletics.net/grassroots/disability-athletics/ - gives a list of regional contacts and contacts for National Disability Sports Organisations:
British Blind Sport info@britishblindsport.org.uk
British Wheelchair Athletics Association BWAA barbarahoole@hotmail.com
Did you know?
Athletics have been in the Paralympic Games since Rome 1960. Wheelchair racing joined in Tokyo 1964
Would I like this sport and what are the benefits?
A very wide range of events. Wide range of skills required. Good for developing fitness. Something for everyone with determination and commitment (and, as with most other sports, a proactive local authority or club that is inclusive and provides accessible training facilities and coaching – if yours doesn’t please e-mail us)
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© BP 2012
