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A guide to Paralympic sports
Paralympics
Paralympics Paralympics
want to
Get into
>sport ?
You’re not theonlyone HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE 01. True stories The first section outlines some inspirational real life stories of people already participating in disability sport 02. Find your sport In this section use the table that best describes your disability and select the Paralympic sports you are eligible for 03. Sport in detail Once you have your list of sports, use the Sports Information section to find out more about these sports and whether they appeal to you
| 01
The aim of this publication is to inform people CONTENTS
about Paralympic sports. It is hoped that this 02
05
True stories
Find your sport
information will help to guide individuals with 06 Tables
disabilities to sports they are eligible for based 12
13
Sport in detail
Alpine skiing & Archery
on the nature of their disability. 14 Athletics & Basketball
15 Boccia & Curling
16 Cycling & Equestrian
17 Fencing & Football
18 Goalball & Sledge hockey
19 Judo & Nordic skiing
20 Powerlifting & Rowing
21 Rugby & Sailing
22 Shooting & Swimming
23 Table tennis & Tennis
24 Volleyball & Further links
Follow a pathway into Paralympic sports
>
01. true stories.
Read about our athletes’
incredible stories and
be inspired
At only 17, visually impaired sprinter Libby “It doesn’t matter how big or
Clegg is aiming for her first Paralympic Games
in Beijing. The talented teenager, who has a
small your goals are, don’t let
deteriorating eye condition, burst onto the your disability stand in the way,
international athletics scene winning silver with a bit of determination you
on her world championship debut in the T12 will achieve.”
200m in 2006. She also narrowly missed
a second silver in the 100m, when it was
deemed that her guide runner had crossed
Libby Clegg 17
the line in front of her. Sprinter
Libby, who finished 3rd in the BBC’s Young
Sports Personality of the Year in 2006, took
up sprinting at the age of 10 because she
found it allowed her to compete alongside
her fully-sighted counterparts.
Everyone has to start
somewhere
02 | 03
Multi-talented amputee athlete Jody Cundy “I got into disability sport when
took up swimming when he was five years
I was 10. At the time I was
old. He made an instant impact on the
Paralympic scene, winning gold at his first competing in able-bodied swimming
Games in 1996, when he was just 18. A decade and a parent of a disability swimmer
later and three Paralympic Games under his told us about the Paralympics and
belt in swimming Jody announced he was how to get involved. After that
switching from the pool to the velodrome to I had a focus for my training and
try his hand at cycling – having already won
gold and set a world record in the team sprint
since then I’ve been to three
at the 2006 Paralympic World Cup. Paralympic Games, multiple world,
and European championships and
Months later he travelled to his first world have travelled to, and made friends
championships as a cyclist and was an
in, countries all over the world, at
instant success winning gold and setting
a world record in the process. the same time as doing something
I love and enjoy.”
Jody Cundy 29
Cyclist
>
Twenty-nine year-old wheelchair rugby player “After breaking my neck in 1999
James Price had his life turned upside down I thought I had been left with few
when he broke his neck in a diving accident
on holiday when he was 21. Prior to his
options as to what I could do with
accident James led an active, fit lifestyle and my life. I was very depressed and
was training to become a fire-fighter, so was it took me a while to get myself
determined his disability wasn’t going to stop going again. I was introduced to
him doing sport. wheelchair rugby in hospital and
James was introduced to wheelchair rugby I started to play. The little bit of
while in hospital and started regularly training fitness and confidence that I was
with a league side. He now has his sights getting from playing rugby every
firmly set on Paralympic glory in London week started to help me in my
in 2012 but has already represented GB everyday life and the more I started
at the 2006 Wheelchair Rugby World
Championships, when the team finished 4th.
to enjoy life again the more I enjoyed
rugby. The sport has given me
James works as Development Director a life I never thought I could have.”
at Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and
encourages others to take up the sport.
James Price 29
Wheelchair rugby player
Find out which Paralympic
sporting path is right for you
04 | 05
02. find your sport.
The following tables
will help you find a
sport to suit you
>
Amputees The sports suitable for a person with an amputation
will depend on the type of amputation and where
in the limb the amputation has occurred.
Key Lower limb Upper limb Lower & Upper limb
L=Leg /A=Arm
=Male only
=Male and female Single Double Single Double 1L+1A 2L+2A 2L+1A 1L+2A
This is not intended to be a
definitive guide to Paralympic
sport and only an official
classifier can determine
eligibility within a sport.
Alpine skiing p13 • • • • • • • •
Archery p13 • • • • •
Athletics p14 • • • • • • • •
Basketball p14 • •
Boccia p15
Curling p15 • •
Cycling p16 • • • • • • • •
Equestrian p16 • • • • • • • •
Fencing p17 • •
Football p17
Goalball p18
Ice sledge hockey p18
Judo p19
Nordic skiing p19 • • • • • • • •
Powerlifting p20 • •
Rowing p20 • • •
Rugby p21
Sailing p21 • • • • • • • •
Shooting p22 • • • • •
Swimming p22 • • • • • • • •
Table tennis p23 • • • • • • • •
Tennis p23 • •
Volleyball p24 • •
06 | 07
Spinal cord The level of a spinal cord injury determines
what sport an individual can do. There are two
main categories of spinal cord injury: paraplegic
injury and quadriplegic.
Key Spinal cord injury
=Male only
=Male and female
This is not intended to be a Quadriplegic Paraplegic
definitive guide to Paralympic
Caused by damage When the lower half
sport and only an official
to the spinal cord of a person’s body
classifier can determine
at a high level. is paralysed, usually
eligibility within a sport.
The injury causes as the result of a
a person to lose spinal cord injury
either total or or a congenital
partial use of the condition such
arms and legs. as spina bifida.
Alpine skiing p13 •
Archery p13 • •
• •
>
Athletics p14
Basketball p14 •
Boccia p15
Curling p15 •
Cycling p16 • •
Equestrian p16 • •
Fencing p17 • •
Football p17
Goalball p18
Ice sledge hockey p18
Judo p19
Nordic skiing p19 •
Powerlifting p20 •
Rowing p20 •
Rugby p21 •
Sailing p21 • •
Shooting p22 • •
Swimming p22 • •
Table tennis p23 • •
Tennis p23 • •
Volleyball p24 •
VISUAL Visually impaired athletes are usually split into
three categories, B1, B2 and B3 for competition.
B1 athletes have the least sight and are usually
IMPAIRMENT completely blind while B3 athletes have the
most vision and are usually partially sighted.
Key Visual Impairment
=Male only
=Male and female
This is not intended to be a B1 B2 B3
definitive guide to Paralympic
Inability to recognise Ability to recognise A visual acuity of
sport and only an official the form of a hand in shape of a hand to a >2/60 up to 6/60 and/
classifier can determine any direction or distance visual acuity of 2/60 or a visual field of
eligibility within a sport. and/or a visual field >5deg and08 | 09
CEREBRAL The classification system for athletes with cerebral
palsy is complicated and athletes are grouped
based on their functional ability. There are eight
PALSY groupings for athletes with cerebral palsy, with
1 being the most severely disabled and 8 being
the least.
Key Cerebral Palsy
=Male and female
=Male only
=M ale and female
within safety limits CP1 CP2 CP3 CP4 CP5 CP6 CP7 CP8
=Male only
Severe Quadriplegia, Quadriplegic Moderate Poor balance, Involuntary Hemiplegic Minimal
within safety limits quadriplegia severe to or severe to severe may need movement standing impairment,
(control of involuntary
& spasticity moderate hemiplegic, spasticity, assistive in all four class standing
movements must be within
spasticity, wheelchair usually uses device to walk limbs but class
the sports’ safety limits)
some ability user but wheelchair can walk/run,
to propel a good upper for sport good balance
This is not intended to be a
wheelchair body strength but can
definitive guide to Paralympic stand/walk
sport and only an official
classifier can determine
eligibility within a sport.
Alpine skiing p13 • • • • • •
Archery p13
Athletics p14 • • • • • •
Basketball p14 • • • •
Boccia p15 • •
Curling p15 • • •
Cycling p16 • • • • • •
Equestrian p16 • • • • • •
Fencing p17
Football p17
Goalball p18
Ice sledge hockey
p18
Judo p19
Nordic skiing p19 • • • • • •
Powerlifting p20
Rowing p20 • • • • • •
Rugby p21
Sailing p21 • • • • • •
Shooting p22
Swimming p22 • • • • • • • •
Table tennis p23 • • • • • •
Tennis p23 • • • •
Volleyball p24 • • • •LES AUTRES Les Autres is a French term, meaning ‘the others’
and is used to classify athletes whose disabilities
do not fit into one of the other four categories. This
category includes a range of conditions resulting
in locomotive disorders, such as dwarfism or
muscular dystrophy.
Key Les Autres
=Male and female
1–5 6–11 12/13 14/15 16 17/18/28
Alpine skiing p13 • • • • •
Archery p13 • • • • •
Athletics p14 • • • • • •
Basketball p14 • •
Boccia p15 • •
Curling p15 • • • •
Cycling p16 • • • • •
Equestrian p16 • • • • • •
Fencing p17 • • •
Football p17 •
Goalball p18
Ice sledge hockey
p18 • • •
Judo p19
Nordic skiing p19 • • • • •
Powerlifting p20 • • •
Rowing p20 • • • • •
Rugby p21 •
Sailing p21 • • • •
Shooting p22 • • • • • •
Swimming p23 • • • • • •
Table tennis p23 • • • • • •
Tennis p24 • •
Volleyball p2410 | 11
Key profile info 1-32
Select the profile here that best describes your disability
and then look up your sports in the table below.
Profile 1-5 Profile 15 Profile 21 Profile 28
Severe impairment Slight impairment Severe impairment Severe impairment
in all limbs & trunk, on one side of body. in both upper limbs. in both hips.
often unable to
propel wheelchair. Profile 16 Profile 22 Profile 29
Severe impairment Slight impairment Severe impairment
Profile 6-11 in one arm. in both upper limbs. in both shoulders.
Wheelchair users
able to propel Profile 17 Profile 23 Profile 30
wheelchair. Severe impairment Slight impairment Severe impairment
in both lower limbs. in one lower limb. of trunk.
Profiles 12-32 Profile 18 Profile 24 Profile 31
(able to walk) Severe impairment Slight impairment Severe impairment
in one leg, slight in one upper limb. in legs, slight
Profile 12 impairment in other. impairment in arms.
Severe impairment Profile 25
in all four limbs. Profile 19 Restricted growth. Profile 32
Severe impairment Severe impairment
Profile 13 in one leg. Profile 26 in arms and slight
Severe impairment Slight impairment impairment in legs
in three limbs. Profile 20 in four limbs.
Slight impairment
Profile 14 in both legs. Profile 27
Severe impairment Severe impairment
on one side of body. in opposite limbs.
Key Les Autres
=Male and female
This is not intended to be a
19/20/ 21/22/29 25 26 27 30 31/32
definitive guide to Paralympic
sport and only an official
23/24
classifier can determine
eligibility within a sport.
Alpine skiing p13 • • • • •
Archery p13 • • • •
Athletics p14 • • • • • • •
Basketball p14 •
Boccia p15
Curling p15 •
Cycling p16 • • • • • •
Equestrian p16 • • • • • •
Fencing p17 • • •
Football p17
Goalball p18
Ice sledge hockey p18 • • • •
Judo p19
Nordic skiing p19 • • • • •
Powerlifting p20 • •
Rowing p20 • • • •
Rugby p21
Sailing p21 • • • • • •
Shooting p22 • • • •
Swimming p23 • • • • • •
Table tennis p23 • • • • • • •
Tennis p24 • • • •
Volleyball p2403 Sport in detail.
find out more about each
individual sport here
>12 | 13
Alpine skiing Imagine sliding down a snowy mountain Alpine skiing events include downhill; a race
at speeds of around 80mph – that is what down a long steep hill with various gates that
Alpine skiing is currently
practiced in 35 countries alpine skiing is all about. The sport, which are used as checkpoints, slalom; which comprises
around the world and is has been included in the Paralympic two runs on separate days and a high number
a rapidly growing sport. programme since the first Winter Games of gates, giant slalom, like slalom but a longer
in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, in 1976, is open course with fewer gates, and the super
Skills and characteristics to male and female athletes with physical giant slalom; a speed event shorter than
Skill/technical disabilities and visual impairments. the downhill but longer than the giant
Anaerobic endurance slalom. It has a minimum of 35 direction
Agility changes for men and 30 for women.
Power
Strength The equipment is adapted where necessary
for different disabilities. Athletes with limited
mobility may use a sit-ski, a specially fitted
chair on a single ski, leg amputees who ski
without prosthesis may use poles or outriggers.
These have short ski blades on the end and
help the skier with balance. Blind skiers
are guided through the course by sighted
skiers using voice signals to direct them.
Archery A sport of accuracy, precision and concentration, At the Games archers shoot at a 122cm
archery is open to male and female competitors target set at a distance of 70m. There are
An ancient sport of kings
with a physical disability. While archery for qualifying rounds followed by an elimination
and queens, more recently
blind athletes is not currently included in the round, culminating in a final round of eight
made famous by Robin Hood
Paralympic programme, the discipline is archers. Paralympic disciplines comprise
and ‘Lord of the Rings’,
growing in the UK. compound or recurve bows and there is also
archery has been part of
a separate individual and team competition
the Paralympic programme
Competitors are grouped into three classifications for men and women.
since 1960. It is currently
for competition – one standing (ST) and two
practised in more than 37
wheelchair categories: wheelchair one (W1),
countries worldwide.
which includes athletes with a disability in all
four limbs and; wheelchair two (W2), where
Skills and characteristics archers have limited mobility in their lower limbs.
Psychological
Balance
Concentration
Strength
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.Athletics Athletics was an inaugural sport in the 1960 Athletics is open to men and women in all
Paralympic Games in Rome having been disability groups and uses a functional
Often considered the showcase
of the Paralympic Games, among the sports at the first wheelchair classification system that groups athletes
people are drawn to athletics games at Stoke Mandeville in 1948. based on their ability. As a brief guide, field
to witness the speed of the athletes are referred to as F and track as T,
sprinter, the strength of the Originally only wheelchair disciplines were then 11–13 are visually impaired, F or T 31–38
thrower and the endurance included in the Games, however since the are athletes with cerebral palsy, F40 are
of the distance athlete. 1960s athletics for athletes with a disability dwarves, F or T 41–46 are amputee or les
has grown enormously and now includes autres, T51–54 are wheelchair track athletes
Skills and characteristics more athletes and events than any other and F51–58 wheelchair field athletes.
Physical sport at the Paralympics. One-hundred and
Skill/technical seven countries currently compete in athletics Wheelchairs are considered sports equipment
Anaerobic endurance at elite level. in track and are specially designed for the
Coordination event as are throwing frames for those field
Power Track events include all Olympic distances athletes with limited mobility. Specialised
Speed (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, prosthetic devices may be used by leg amputees
Strength 10000m, marathon, 4 x 100m relay and 4 x and visually impaired runners can use sighted
Flexibility 400m relay. Field comprises shot, discus, guides or callers.
javelin, club throwing (for severely disabled
athletes) pentathlon, long, high and triple
jump. Although all these events are contested
at Paralympic level some events are specific
to particular classifications.
Basketball The sport is also incredibly popular in the UK Wheelchair basketball differs very little from
where there is a thriving national league system the able-bodied sport and is played on the
One of the earliest Paralympic
sports, wheelchair basketball and over 1000 regular players. same sized court with the same height hoops.
was first developed as a means An offensive player may not remain in the
of rehabilitation for injured Wheelchair basketball is open to men and key for more than three seconds without
servicemen following the women with a physical disability and has a attempting a shot and may not take more
Second World War. It is now classification system that categorises athletes than two pushes or touches of the wheels
among the most well-known from 1 to 4.5 based on their functional ability. without bouncing or passing the ball. All
Paralympic sports and is Those players with 1 point are the most international games last 40 minutes.
played in over 80 countries severely disabled and those with 4.5 the least.
around the world by some The combined points of a team’s players on
25,000 people.
the court at any one time cannot exceed 14.
Skills and characteristics
Physical
Tactical
Skill/technical
Aerobic endurance
Anaerobic endurance
Agility
Coordination
Power
Speed
Strength
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.14 | 15
Boccia The sport, which was refined from an ancient BC1 comprises athletes with cerebral palsy
Greek game in Italy in the 16th century, was who are able to project the ball once it is
Comparable to the French
sport of boules or petanque, created specifically for athletes with a severe placed in their hand by an aide, while BC2
the aim of boccia is to throw degree of physical disability and therefore has includes athletes with a less severe degree
a set of coloured balls as no counterpart in the Olympic Games. of cerebral palsy and do not require an aide.
close to a jack as possible. BC3 athletes have the most severe degree of
At the Paralympics men and women compete disability and cannot grasp or release the ball
Skills and characteristics together in team, pair and individual events and therefore play with the use of a technical
Psychological and are grouped in four classifications, BC1, device, such as a ramp to project the ball and
Tactical BC2, BC3 and BC4. an assistant. The final classification, BC4, is
Balance for players who do not have cerebral palsy
Concentration but who are still severely disabled and these
athletes do not compete with an aide.
Boccia made its Paralympic Games debut
in New York in 1984 and is now practiced
at elite level in 42 countries worldwide.
Curling Curling is thought to have originated in The only difference between wheelchair
Scotland in the 16th century when people curling and the able-bodied equivalent is
A sport of precision and
accuracy, wheelchair would play the sport on frozen lochs and that sweeping – brushing the ice in front
curling made its Paralympic ponds during the winter months. of the stone to change its course – is not
debut at the Turin 2006 part of the game.
Winter Games when Open to male and female athletes who are
Britain’s curlers won silver. not ambulant or who can only walk short
distances, the aim of wheelchair curling is
Skills and characteristics to slide a stone down a sheet of ice towards
Psychological a target – the house – and get as close to
Skill/technical the centre of the target as possible.
Balance
Concentration Each team will do its best to prevent the
other from achieving this aim by placing
a stone in the way or by knocking their
opponent’s stone out of the target area.
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.Cycling As with the Olympics the sport at the Amputee and les autres athletes are also
Paralympic Games is split between the track classified in four categories with LC1 for riders
Speed, fitness and endurance
are all characteristics needed and the road. Track races at the velodrome with upper limb disabilities, LC2 for riders with
for cycling, a sport that has include 1km time trials, pursuits and team disabilities in one leg but who are able to
been included in the Paralympic and tandem sprints for specific classifications. pedal normally, LC3 for riders with a disability
Games since Seoul in 1988. On the road, athletes compete in the road in one lower limb who will usually pedal with
race and time trial. one leg only and LC4 for riders with disabilities
Skills and characteristics affecting both legs or a combination of upper
Physical The classification for cycling is split into and lower limbs.
Tactical four divisions for athletes with cerebral
Aerobic endurance palsy, CP1 to 4 with 1 being the most Athletes who are wheelchair users and unable
Anaerobic endurance severely disabled and 4 being the most to ride a standard bicycle or tricycle compete
Power able. Visually impaired cyclists are all using three-wheeled handcycles. These athletes
Speed classified together and compete on tandem are classified into divisions HCA, HCB and
Strength bicycles with a sighted-guide or pilot rider. HCC, with HCA being the most severely disabled.
Cycling at elite level is currently contested by
over 40 countries but it’s a sport that many
take part in at recreational level just for fitness
or enjoyment.
Equestrian Dressage, which is currently the only equestrian The classification system puts riders into four
discipline included in the Paralympic Games, grades depending on the level of impairment.
Although dressage is a
Paralympic sport, horse was originally developed for battle as it allowed Grade 1 incorporates severely disabled riders
riding is also a great soldiers to skilfully manoeuvre their mounts, with poor trunk balance or impairment of
recreational activity that is particularly in medieval times when heavy balance in all four limbs. Grade 2 incorporates
thought to help people with armour was worn. riders with severe locomotive impairment
a disability improve mobility involving the trunk, with reasonable balance
and coordination. Although the discipline dates back around and abdominal control or severe unilateral
2000 years, it was during a wider cultivation impairment, grade 3 riders are mainly able
Skills and characteristics of the arts in the 15th century that it developed to walk without support, with moderate
Psychological into a competitive activity and is now contested unilateral impairment in four limbs or severe
Skill/technical at elite level across the globe, including in arm impairment but this group also includes
Balance around 40 nations at Paralympic level. athletes with a total loss of vision in both eyes.
Concentration Grade 4 comprises riders with impairment in
At the Paralympic Games the equestrian one or two limbs or some degree of
competitions, which are open to men and visual impairment.
women with physical or visual impairments,
consist of both a traditional dressage event
and freestyle, or kur events, when the riders
perform a dressage test to music. There is
also a team event comprising of three or
four riders from different grades.
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.16 | 17
Fencing One of only two combat sports at the Games, Athletes are classified into three classes,
wheelchair fencing is open to men and women A – for athletes with full trunk movement
The sword is one of the oldest
weapons and has been used with locomotive disabilities and is currently and good balance, B – for athletes with no leg
since ancient times as a means practiced in 26 countries. movement and impaired trunk and balance
of settling disputes. Now a functions and C – for athletes with a disability
sport, wheelchair fencing is As the name suggests wheelchair fencing in all four limbs. Class C is not included in the
a blend of mental agility, must be contested from a wheelchair, which Paralympic Games but is a medal event at
speed and tactics and has is clamped into a metal frame holding the regional and world championships.
been part of the Paralympic competitors at a given distance.
programme since the first The competition comprises individual and
Games in Rome in 1960. team events in foil, epee and sabre for men
and individual and team events in foil and
Skills and characteristics epee for women.
Tactical
Skill/technical
Aerobic endurance
Anaerobic endurance
Agility
Coordination
Flexibility
Speed
Football At the moment only seven-a-side football The goalkeeper for each five-a-side team is
for athletes with cerebral palsy and five-a-side usually fully-sighted and therefore is able to
Perhaps one of the world’s
best loved sports, football is football for athletes with a visual impairment shout instructions to the players. Along with
played by millions of people are included in the Paralympic programme. the goalkeeper there is an additional guide
across the globe whether There are however also national teams for behind the opposition’s goal who can give the
just in the local park or in other disabilities including amputee football. team instructions. A specially-designed ball
a national stadium. makes a noise when it moves, allowing the
Seven-a-side football is open to ambulant players to track it.
Skills and characteristics male athletes with cerebral palsy, who are
Physical categorised depending on the severity of As with the seven-a-side game, the field of
Tactical their disability from 5 through to 8. The rules play is smaller than in able-bodied football
Skill/technical are the same as in the able-bodied game and there is no offside rule, however the
Aerobic endurance except that the pitch is slightly smaller, there match is played in two halves of 25 minutes
Anaerobic endurance is no offside rule and throw-ins can only be with a 10 minute interval.
Agility made using one hand. Matches are played in
Coordination two 30 minute halves with a 15 minute interval.
Power
Speed Five-a-side football is open to athletes with
Strength a visual impairment. Although classification
is broken down into classes B1, B2 and B3,
with B1 athletes having the least vision, all
players with the exception of the goalkeeper,
wear “black-out” masks to ensure all
participants can compete equally.
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.Goalball The sport, which is currently played in around Players are allowed to defend the ball by
70 countries, was created in 1946 as a means any means within specific areas of the court.
Goalball is a team sport
unique to the Paralympic of rehabilitating injured war veterans blinded When thrown, the ball must touch the floor
Games. It has been during the Second World War. to ensure defending players can locate the
specifically developed ball and a throw must take place within 10
for athletes with a visual The object of the game, which is played by seconds of first contact.
impairment and therefore teams of three, is to roll the ball past the
has no Olympic equivalent. opposition defence and into the opponent’s goal.
Skills and characteristics The ball contains bells that enable the players
Physical to locate it and as a result the game is usually
Skill/technical played in complete silence to allow the players
Agility to concentrate on following the ball. Games
Coordination are played on a court of 18m x 9m, marked
Strength out with tactile boundaries.
Ice sledge Fast, furious and aggressive ice sledge hockey The rules are similar to ice hockey with the
hockey is, as the name suggests, the Paralympic
equivalent of ice hockey. The sport is played
aim of the game being to propel a puck into
the opponent’s goal. There are six team-members
Ice sledge hockey is practised using double-blade sledges, which allow the on the ice at any given time (including the net
in 10 countries with club teams puck to pass underneath and are propelled by minder) and the game is played over three,
now established in Germany, sticks with a spike in the one end and a blade 15 minute stop-time periods.
the Netherlands, Czech in the other end for shooting.
Republic, Russia and Korea.
It became a Paralympic sport
in 1984 in Lillehammer, Norway. There is no classification system in the sport,
which is currently only open to male athletes,
but competitors must have a permanent
Skills and characteristics
physical disability in the lower half of their body.
Physical
Skill/technical
Aerobic endurance
Anaerobic endurance
Agility
Coordination
Power
Speed
Strength
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.18 | 19
Judo As with able-bodied judo, athletes – or judokas Each contest lasts a maximum of five
– are classified by their weight. There are seven minutes and to win the contest a judoka
Judo, which has been a
Paralympic sport since the men’s weight divisions ranging from -60kg must score an ippon, which equals 10 points,
Seoul Games in 1988, is open to +100kg and six women’s divisions from by using a successful technique such as a
to male and female athletes -48kg to +70kg. throw or a hold. If neither judoka has scored
with a visual impairment. an ippon by the end of the match, the one
Power, strength and agility The only difference in visually impaired judo that has accumulated the most points wins.
are all characteristics needed compared with the able-bodied sport is that
to compete in judo – the visually impaired athletes are allowed to be VI Judo is currently practiced in 30 countries
second of only two combative in contact at the beginning of the bout. around the globe.
sports at the Games, the
other being fencing.
Skills and characteristics
Physical
Tactical
Skill/technical
Anaerobic endurance
Agility
Coordination
Flexibility
Power
Speed
Strength
Nordic skiing The discipline is open to athletes with a
physical disability or visual impairment
Nordic skiing comprises cross
country skiing and biathlon and athletes may compete on a sit-ski –
– skiing and shooting – and a specialised ski-chair – or with a guide
has been, in one form or if visually impaired.
another, included in the
Paralympic programme since Cross country skiing involves skiing distances
the inaugural Winter Games in from 2.5km to 20km, while the biathlon
Örnsköldsvik, Sweden in 1976. events take place on a 2.5km loop, which
is repeated three times for the 7.5km event
Skills and characteristics or five times for the 12km event, with athletes
Physical stopping for either two or four shooting
Psychological sessions along the course. Athletes fire five
Aerobic endurance shots at a target positioned at 10m and
Anaerobic endurance visually impaired athletes use a laser to line
Concentration up their shots. The penalty for a missed shot
Coordination can be a time penalty that is added to the
Strength athlete’s total time or a penalty ski loop.
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.Powerlifting Powerlifting, which was originally called Competitors are classified into one of ten
weightlifting, has been a Paralympic sport categories, based on their weight. These
The ultimate test of power
and strength, powerlifting – since the second Games in Tokyo in 1964 and categories are from 48kg up to 100kg+ for
similar to the Olympic sport is now contested at elite level by 115 countries men and from 40kg up to 82.5kg+ for women.
of weightlifting – is open to by around 5000 ranked competitors.
male and female athletes
with a physical impairment. In 2000 Paralympic powerlifting adopted the
same rules as the able-bodied sport. Athletes
Skills and characteristics compete lying on their backs in a supine
Physical position on a specially designed bench. After
Strength a signal from the chief referee, the athlete
lowers the bar to their chest in a controlled
manner, holds it immobile for a short period
and then evenly presses the bar back to the
starting position, holding it with locked elbows
until told to ‘rack’ the bar.
Rowing A new sport to the Paralympic programme – The standard distance for adaptive rowing
making its Games’ debut in Beijing in 2008 races is 1000m and although there are some
Whether just for the thrill
of getting out on the water – adaptive rowing is open to male and female adaptations to the boats to facilitate athletes
on a quiet morning or the athletes with a physical or visual impairment. with a disability, the rules and regulations are
excitement of the race, rowing the same as for able-bodied rowing.
is a sport that requires fitness, There are four Paralympic boat classes
commitment and discipline. currently included in the Games’ programme Rowing has a fully integrated world
– men’s and women’s arms only single sculls championships held annually and there
Skills and characteristics (AM1x or AW1x), trunk and arms mixed double is a developing national and international
Physical scull (TA2x) and legs, trunk and arms mixed racing programme, with currently around
Aerobic endurance coxed four (LTA4+). 24 countries participating at elite level.
Anaerobic endurance
Power
Strength
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.20 | 21
Rugby Wheelchair rugby was created in Canada in A team comprises four players and the object
the late 1970s as an alternative to wheelchair of the game is to carry the ball across the
The subject of the 2005
film, ‘Murderball’, wheelchair basketball. The sport made its Paralympic opposing team’s goal line. At least two wheels
rugby is a fast, aggressive debut as a demonstration event at the Atlanta must cross the line for the goal to count. The
team sport. 1996 Games and is open to severely disabled ball may be carried on the lap, but it must
wheelchair athletes with leg, arm and hand be passed or bounced at least once every
Skills and characteristics impairments. Men and women compete in the 10 seconds.
Physical same team although the game is currently
Tactical played primarily by men at an elite level. Wheelchair rugby is a fast growing sport with
Skill/technical many clubs spread nationwide and a thriving
Aerobic endurance Athletes are classified on a points system league system. It is currently practiced in 22
Anaerobic endurance with the most severely disabled athletes being countries around the globe.
Agility graded at 0.5 points rising to 3.5 for the
Coordination physically more able. The combined team
Power points on the court at any time cannot
Speed exceed 8.
Strength
Sailing Sailing, which was first included in the There are three boat classes at the
Paralympic Games as a demonstration event Paralympic Games – the single handed
Sailing has been used as
a means of transport for in Atlanta in 1996, is open to male and female Keelboat (2.4mR), the two person Keelboat
thousands of years but it athletes with a physical disability or visual (SKUD18) and the three person Keelboat
was in Holland around 400 impairment. Fifty countries currently compete (Sonar). A series of nine races is sailed,
years ago that it took off in the sailing events at the Paralympic Games. weather permitting, and the final placings
as a leisure activity. are determined by the accumulation of points
The sport has a classification system that scored in each race, with one race discarded
Skills and characteristics assigns points between 1, for those with the (the athlete’s worst result). The team that
Tactical lowest functional ability, and 7, for athletes scores the lowest points total is the winner.
Skill/technical with the highest functional ability, allowing
Aerobic endurance different disability groups to compete
Anaerobic endurance together by limiting the crew points in
Concentration a boat at any one time.
Coordination
Flexibility
Strength
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.Shooting Athletes are classified as either SH1, pistol Each competition consists of a qualification
and rifle shooters who do not need a shooting and a final round. The score in the final round
Precision, accuracy and a
steady hand are among the stand, or SH2, for competitors who have no is added to the athlete’s qualification score
attributes needed to take ability to support the weight of the firearm and the winner is the athlete with the most
part in shooting, which has and therefore require a shooting stand. points by the end of the competition.
been part of the Paralympic
Games since Toronto in 1976. Men and women compete in air pistol, air rifle Elite disability shooting is practiced in 51
and .22 rifle disciplines. There are 12 Paralympic countries the world over and there is a busy
Skills and characteristics shooting events, six are mixed and three are world, European and open championship
Psychological exclusive to women and three to men. Shooting schedule of competitions.
Balance events differ as to the distance, the type of
Concentration target, the weapon, the shooting position,
number of shots and the time in which the
shots have to be fired.
Swimming Open to men and women in all disability groups, Visually impaired swimmers are allowed an
swimming has been a Paralympic sport since assistant, or tapper (also known as a bonker),
An extremely physically
demanding sport, swimming the inaugural Paralympics in 1960. who will tap them on the head with a long,
has been identified as one padded pole to warn them that they are
of the best activities for Swimmers are classified by their functional approaching a turn or the end of a race.
total body fitness, whether ability in the water and therefore, with the The Paralympic programme encompasses all
you compete at elite level exception of visually impaired athletes, strokes and distances up to 400m, including
or just for fun. all the disability groups compete alongside relays and individual medley.
one-another within one of 10 categories –
Skills and characteristics S1 to S10. Visually impaired swimmers are Swimming is practiced in more than 80
Physical classified from S11 to S13. Those with the countries around the world. The GB team
Skill/technical least vision being S11 and those with the is currently ranked No.1 in the world and has
Aerobic endurance most sight being S13. been the most prolific sport for GB in terms
Anaerobic endurance of medals at the last four Paralympic Games.
Coordination Depending on the degree of disability some
Flexibility swimmers may be allowed to start the race in
Power the water rather than diving in, otherwise the
Speed rules of disability swimming differ very little
Strength from the able-bodied sport.
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.22 | 23
Table tennis Good hand-eye-coordination and quick The rules differ very little from the able-
reaction are needed for table tennis, a sport bodied game, except that in the wheelchair
Table tennis was included in
the first Paralympic Games open to male and female athletes with game the service must exit from the end of
in 1960 and is now played as physical disabilities. the table, not from the side, and those with
an elite sport in 104 countries. an amputation or hand impairment do not
Wheelchair athletes are classified in categories need to throw the ball up when serving.
Skills and characteristics from 1 to 5, with 1 being the most severely
Tactical disabled and 5 the least. Classes 6 to 10 are
Skill/technical for ambulant athletes, with 6 for the more
Aerobic endurance severely impaired and 10 for the least.
Agility
Coordination Every game consists of five sets and the first
Speed player to win three sets wins the match. The
Coordination Paralympic programme comprises individual
competitions for men and women and class-
by-class team events, which are made up of
four singles and one doubles match.
Tennis The sport, which has been included in the The court size and rules are the same as in
Paralympic Games since Barcelona in 1992, the able-bodied game with the only exception
Wheelchair tennis originated
in the USA in the 1970s and is open to male and female athletes with a being that players are allowed two bounces
since then has grown in physical impairment. The game is played of the ball. Competition comprises men’s and
popularity and status. from a wheelchair with two classes, quad, women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles,
for athletes with a disability in more than mixed quad singles and mixed quad doubles.
Skills and characteristics two limbs and open, for those affected in
Tactical two or less limbs.
Skill/technical
Aerobic endurance There is a busy schedule of international
Agility events for elite wheelchair tennis players and
Coordination a full range of tournaments at local, national
Speed and international level – including an annual
men’s doubles tournament at Wimbledon.
There are currently 70 countries around
the world competing in wheelchair tennis.
For more information about how to get started in Paralympic sport visit www.parasport.org.uk or call 0207 211 5272.Volleyball Sitting volleyball has been part of the At all times during play the player’s bottom
Paralympics since Arnhem in 1980 and must be in contact with the ground but
Because the net is lower
and the court smaller sitting is open to male and female athletes with athletes are allowed to kick or head the
volleyball, which is played a physical disability. Other than meeting ball if necessary.
in 48 countries, is considerably a minimum qualification criteria athletes
faster than the standing are not classified separately. The game consists of five sets and a set is
game and therefore won by the first team to reach 25 points. In
requires quick reactions, Teams are made up of six players and the event of a 24-24 tie there must be a clear
agility and power. each team is allowed three touches of two point lead over the opposing team to win.
the ball before it should be returned.
Skills and characteristics
Skill/technical
Aerobic endurance
Coordination
Power
Strength
Useful ParalympicsGB
websites www.paralympics.org.uk/
Parasport
www.parasport.org.uk
English Federation of Disability Sport
www.efds.net/
Federation of Disability Sport Wales
www.disabilitysportwales.org
Disability Sport Northern Ireland
www.dsni.co.uk
Scottish Disability Sport
www.scottishdisabilitysport.com
International Paralympic Committee
www.paralympic.org
European Paralympic Committee
www.europaralympic.org
Cerebral Palsy International Sports Recreation Association
www.cpisra.org
International Blind Sports Association
www.ibsa.es/eng/
International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Association
www.wsw.org.ukFound your Pathway? Now you have the knowledge, make the journey NOTE: This is not intended to be a definitive guide to Paralympic sport and only an official classifier can determine eligibility within a sport. For further information about ParalympicsGB please contact us at: 020 7211 5222 info@paralympics.org.uk www.paralympics.org.uk This document can be provided in alternative formats such as large print, Braille, tape and on disk upon request. Call ParalympicsGB on 020 7211 5222 for more details. Designed by Navyblue Photography by Sportbeat Images, Getty Images, PA Photos and Jim House
ParalympicsGB T 020 7211 5222
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London WC1N 1ST E Info@paralympics.org.uk
www.paralympics.org.uk
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