Eligibility

Athlete must be 4’-10" or less in adult height due to chondrodystrophy or other related causes. The six most common forms of dwarfism among DAAA athletes are achondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, cartilage-hair hypoplasia, diastrophic dysplasia, SED tarda, and SED congenita.

Classification

Disability classifications for basketball and track are based upon the ratio of standing height to sitting height, while classifications for swimming and field events are based upon the ratio of arm span to biacromial width.

Age/Gender Groups

Age divisions include futures (6 years and younger), juniors (7-9, 10-12, and 13-15 years), open (any age), and masters (40 years and older).

Sports

Major Competitions

The major international competitions for dwarf athletes are the quadrennial summer and winter Paralympic Games. Other opportunities include the world championships and other international events sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee and the biannual multi-sport competition conducted by the International Dwarf Athletic Association. At the national level, DAAA conducts a multi-sport national games in conjunction with the annual conference of the Little People of America (LPA). Local and regional competitions are held in many parts of the country.

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