Classification provides a structure for Paralympic competition. The International Paralympic Committee has adopted a universal classification code in order to facilitate the implementation of accurate, reliable, and credible sport-specific classification systems. The classification process determines who is eligible to compete in a Paralympic sport and it groups the eligible athletes in sport classes according to their activity limitation in a certain sport. For more information about Paralympic classification and the IPC Athlete Classification Code, please visit the IPC Classification Webpage.
World Para Athletics is the international federation for track and field. WPA is responsible for creating and implementing the rules and regulations that govern the Paralympic track and field classification system. For more information about track and field's classification system, rules and regulations, please visit the World Para Athletics Classification Webpage.
All national classifications conducted in the United States fall under the governance of U.S. Paralympics as the National Paralympic Committee for the United States. For more information about the national classification policies and procedures, please visit the U.S. Paralympics Classification Policies and Procedures Webpage.
The U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Database includes all athletes whose classification information is on file with either the IPC, WPA and/or U.S. Paralympics. Athletes who have been nationally or internationally classified as per the Code and/or the U.S. Paralympics Classification Policies and Procedures are included. Only athlete who have a current IPC License appear on the International Master list.
All athletes who wish to compete in the Paralympic divisions at events must undergo a national classification evaluation to determine their sport class. The steps to obtaining a national classification are outlined below.
U.S. Paralympics has partnered with Athletes Without Limits for all intellectual Impairment Classifications. Athletes Without Limits is responsible for determining whether U.S. athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities are eligible for Paralympic competitions. The three main criteria to be eligible for the II sport class of Paralympic Competition are:
Athletes must hold a current IPC License and have the appropriate medical documentation to request international classification. The appropriate Visual Impairment or Physical Impairment Medical Diagnostics Form must be submitted six weeks prior to the date of the International Classification - failure to follow this procedure could result in cancellation of the classification appointment. Each form outlines the specific tests, x-rays, MRIs, etc. required for various impairments that should be provided as supporting documentation. The Medical Diagnostics form and the supplemental documents must be completed by the athlete’s physician or ophthalmologist. For more information about how to apply for an IPC License, please visit the IPC Licensing webpage.
International Classification Forms
For a full list of International Classification Opportunities, please visit the World Para Athletics Calendar. Please note that international classification slots are limited and allocated by World Para Athletics. There may be more athletes who request international classification than slots available; in these cases slots will be awarded based on athlete performance marks compared to the national team standards. Athletes who meet the criteria and wish to request an international classification slot should contact the USATF Classification Coordinator at Classification@usatf.org and the track & field staff at ParaInfo@usatf.org. International Classification Appointments must be requested at least six weeks prior to the date of the classification.