Athletics, also known as track and field, is an official sport of the Paralympic Games, Deaflympics, and Special Olympics World Games.

Photo from Mind, Body, Spirit: Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Official Souvenir Book (p. 89). Southbank, Victoria: News Custom Publishing.

Athletes with physical disabilities compete under the IPC classification system. A summary of the classifications used for track and field, and the implements used for the field events in each classification, is posted on the IPC web site (http://www.paralympic.org). Click on "sports," then "athletics," then "classification." In track events, the T31 through T38 classes accommodate athletes with cerebral palsy and related neurological conditions, the T42 through T46 classes accommodate ambulatory athletes, and the T50 through T55 classes accommodate wheelchair users. In field events, F32 through F38 classes are for athletes with cerebral palsy and related neurological conditions, F40 through F46 for ambulatory athletes; and F51 through F58 for wheelchair users.

Athletes who are blind or visually impaired compete under the IBSA classification system, with B1 referring to no usable vision, B2 to low vision, and B3 to visually impaired. In track, the B1, B2, and B3 classifications are relabeled as T11, T12, and T13, and in field as F11, F12, and F13. The procedures for vision testing and the classification profiles are described on the IPC web site (http://www.paralympic.org). Click on "sports," then "classification," then "athletes with blindness."

Athletes with cognitive disabilities who compete in Paralympic Games or INAS-FID competitions are subject to the INAS-FID eligibility requirements, described in the "athlete registration" section of the INAS-FID web site (http://www.inas-fid.org). Eligible athletes have an IQ score of 70 or less and they require special services for persons with cognitive disability in school, work, or community settings. In athletics, eligible athletes compete in the T20 (track) and F20 (field) classifications.

The IAAF rules govern athletics events at the Deaflympics.  With a few disability-specific modifications adopted by the IPC and SOI, the IAAF rules also govern track and field events at the Paralympic Games and Special Olympics World Games. Web site access to track and field rules includes:

	IAAF - http://www.iaaf.org - Click on "the sport," then "tech matters."
	IPC - http://www.paralympic.org - Click on "sports," then "athletics," then "rules."
	CISS - http://www.ciss.org - Click on "about," then "regulations," then "athletics."
	Special Olympics - http://www.specialolympics.org - Click on "sports" then go to the drop-down menu and choose athletics rules.

IPC rule modifications for athletes who use wheelchairs include:

	Athletes are required to wear helmets.
	Athletes are required to start with the first two wheels behind the start line.

Motorized wheelchairs are not allowed in regular wheelchair races.

	The lanes for wheelchair events shall be two track-lanes wide.
	Competitors are placed in the order in which the hub of the leading wheel crosses the finish line.

In relays, wheelchair athletes do not carry a baton, but rather touch their partner within the normal take-over zone.

	In throwing events, wheelchair users must remain in designated circles with their chairs attached to the ground by a holding device.
	In throwing events at least one part of the upper leg or buttock must remain in contact with the cushion or seat until the implement is released.

Athletes in wheelchairs cannot put their feet down during throwing field events, nor can any part of the body touch the ground.

IPC rule modifications for athletes with amputations include:

	Athletes with arm amputations may rest their stumps on a pad at the start of track races.
	In relays, competitors with amputations do not carry a baton, but rather touch their partner within the normal take-over zone.
	Leg amputees must use leg prostheses in all track events.
	Lower limb amputees may use a running, hopping, or standing start in jumping events.
	If an athlete loses a prosthesis during a jump, the mark where the prosthesis lands is measured.

IPC rule modifications for athletes who are blind or visually impaired include:

	Athletes in Class T11 and F11 must wear dark glasses in all events, with the exception of running events 1500 meters and longer.
	For those athletes who are also deaf, a flag may be thrown in place of a start gun.
	A guide may be provided. The method of guidance is the athlete's choice. In sprints, this usually means a caller will shout down the runner's lane to provide directional cues. In longer races, a sighted runner may guide the athlete. The sighted guide and the blind runner are joined by a hand-held rope tether with runners separated by no more than .5 meters. The guide sends signals to the blind runner by tugging on the rope. The guide may not pull or push the blind runner toward the finish, and the rules specify that the blind runner must finish before the guide. For races longer than 400 meters, two guides are allowed, with only one exchange of guides permitted for each athlete. In field events, blind athletes may be guided during the approach runs prior to their jumps. Guides must wear a distinctly colored vest.

In relay events, an incoming blind runner is not required to touch the outgoing runner. Judges verbalize that the incoming runner is in the take-over zone, indicating that the outgoing runner may start.

	In field events, acoustic signals are permitted for athletes in class F11, however no visual modification to the facility is permitted.
	In the high jump, athletes in class F12 may place a visual marker on the bar.

For blind and visually impaired long jumpers, the standard 20 cm wide board is changed to a take-off board that is extended 1 meter into the sand.

Special Olympics rule modifications for athletes with cognitive disabilities include:

In races up to and including the 400 meters, athletes have the option of using the starting blocks or not using them.

The 25 and 50 meter races are run on a straight-away track.

In the long jump, the competitor must be able to jump at least one meter from the board to the sand pit to compete.

For blind athletes, the standard board in the long jump is extended 1 meter in the sand.

The minimum opening height for long jump is 90cm.

In the high jump, take-off must be from one foot.

For blind and deaf athletes, a rope or bell may be provided to assist who are visually impaired. A tap start may be used only for an athlete who is both deaf and blind. A sighted guide may not pull or prompt the athlete in any manner.

Equipment

	Wheelchairs are considered to be sports equipment in track and field events, the dimensions and features of wheelchairs are clearly specified in the IPC athletics rules. Wheelchair track athletes need gloves or taping to prevent hand injuries. Some require that the body be strapped to the wheelchair. The weight of throwing implements is determined by the athlete's classification for field events.
	Amputees use prosthetic devices that have been specifically developed to withstand the demands of sports competition. IPC rules require the use of leg prostheses in track events; however, the use of prostheses in field events is optional. According to IPC rules, prostheses must be proportional to the individual's body size. The weight of throwing implements is determined by the athlete's classification for field events.
	Blind runners may require rope tethers or other devices to link with their sighted guides. Athletes in T11 and F11 events must wear dark glasses (with the exception of races 1500 meters and longer). Acoustic devices (or a sighted "caller") may be used to indicate finish lines, throwing target areas, etc.
	In Special Olympics competition, throwing implements and the weight of those implements is determined in part by the athlete's ability level.

	International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)
	USA Track and Field (USATF)
	International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
	Comité Internationale des Sports des Sourds (CISS)
	Special Olympics International (SOI)

Page prepared by Annette Jennings and revised by Gail Dummer

Disability Sports Web Site                        © Michigan State University                        Revised 12/12/2007