Para-athletics classification

Para-athletics classification is a system to determine which athletes with disabilities may compete against each other in para-athletics events. Classification is intended to group together athletes with similar levels of physical ability to allow fair competition. Classification was created and is managed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which is regularly published via its IPC Athletics Classification Handbook. People with physical, vision and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport at the Summer Paralympics. The classification for this sport was created during the 1940s and for much of its early history was a medical condition based classification system. The classification system has subsequently become a functional mobility based one, and is moving towards an evidence-based classification system.

Each class has a code consisting of a letter and two digits, with the letter being either "T" or "F" (indicating track or field events) and the number representing the level of physical ability. The current IPC classifications for athletics can be grouped by impairment as follows:

• T/F11–13 (visual impairment)
• T/F20 (intellectual impairment)
• T/F31–34 (wheelchair events for athletes with a movement disorder, including cerebral palsy)
• T/F35–38 (ambulant events for athletes with a movement disorder, including cerebral palsy)
• T/F40–41 (short stature, including dwarfism)
• T/F42–44 (leg impairment, lower limb affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement)
• T/F45–47 (arm impairment, upper limbs affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement)
• T/F51–57 (wheelchair events for athletes with a lower body impairment, including paraplegia)
• T/F61-64 (Lower limb/s competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference)