With the Paralympics underway in Paris, it seems a good time to share some useful resources for anyone interested in supporting or officiating para events.  England Athletics recently shared an overview of the Para Athletics classification.

As a reminder, the first number represents the impairment type:

• 10s – athletes that compete standing with a vision impairment. Athlete to watch: Dan Pembroke F13 javelin throw.
• 20s – athletes that compete standing with an intellectual impairment. Athlete to watch: Hannah Taunton T20 1500m.
• 30s – athletes with co-ordination impairments. May compete standing or seated using a racing wheelchair or throwing frame. Athletes to watch: Hannah Cockroft T34 wheelchair racing and Sophie Hahn T38 100m & 200m.
• 40s – athletes who compete standing with impairments such as short stature, leg length difference, arm amputation, weak muscles, or restricted joint range of movement. The second number specifies whether arm or leg affected. Athlete to watch: Luke Nuttall T46 1500m.
• 50s – athletes who compete seated using a racing wheelchair or throwing frame with impairments such as leg length difference, leg amputation, weak muscles, or restricted joint range of movement. Athlete to watch: Nathan Maguire T54 400m & 800m.
• 60s – athletes who compete standing with a prosthetics leg due to amputation or other reason. Athlete to watch: Jonnie Peacock T64 100m.
• 70s – athletes with co-ordination impairments that compete standing using a running frame. Athlete to watch: Rafi Solaiman T72 Frame Running.

The second number represents the degree of impairment. A lower number indicates greater impairment.

The letter (T or F) stands for Track or Field. Jumps are also included in the T classification due to the run up required.

You can find the rules for Para Athletics on the WPA Website.

Another useful resource are the Para cards available on Steve Marshall's website. These were updated in February 2024.