Sports Specific Classification

Procedure

This is the second stage of the international (INAS-FID) classification process. The sports specific classification process is currently under development. It is the new work being managed by the Joint INAS-FID and IPC Working Group as part of the agreement for athletes with learning disability to compete in the Paralympic Games.

An athlete can only be considered for the sports specific classification if they have successfully completed stage 1 and the eligibility check.

Stage 2 classification will require the athlete to undergo onsite testing by a Classification panel appointed by the International Federation responsible for the athletes' particular sport.

The on site testing will focus on how the athletes learning disability impacts on their ability to perform in their sport. The tests will gather "sports intelligence" on that athlete in order to assist the classification panel make a decision.

Sports intelligence will include information on reasoning, working memory and learning, visual spatial perception, reaction time and processing speed, attention and concentration and executive function.

The tests will be evaluated against sport specific minimal disability scores. An athlete must meet the minimal disability scores to be eligible to compete.

Minimal disability scores and full details of the process for sports specific classification have yet to be published by INAS-FID and IPC. It is expected that this information will be available by September 2010.