Powerlifting

Athlete Eligibility and Classification

Paralympic powerlifting competition is available to athletes with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, les autres conditions, and amputations (lower limb amputees only). Minimum disability requirements for each population are specified at http://www.paralympic.org. Click on "sports," then "sports," then "powerlifting," then "classification." The IPC rules for powerlifting further specify that the athlete must be able to full extend the arms with no more than a 20 degree loss of full extension of either elbow, and that athletes may be disqualified by classifiers because of a potential high risk for injury.

Lifters who compete in Special Olympics events must have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation.  The specific eligibility requirements are described on the SOI web site at http://www.specialolympics.org. Athletes with Down syndrome who have atlantoaxial instability may not compete in the squat event.

In both Paralympic and Special Olympics competition, lifters are classified according to gender and body weight. Weight classes are described in the following chart. Body weights are adjusted for amputee athletes in Paralympic competition so that they may fairly compete with athletes who have other disabilities. For more information, consult the IPC rules in the powerlifting section of the IPC web site (http://www.paralympic.org).

Events

There is only one event in Paralympic competition, namely the bench press.

Powerlifting events in Special Olympics competition include the bench press, squat, deadlift, combined bench press and deadlift, and combined bench press, squat, and deadlift. Unified Sports opportunities are offered in the same events. Individual skills competition in events such as push-ups and sit-ups is offered for athletes of lower ability.

Playing Area

The lifting area is called the platform. The platform is typically 2.5m to 4.0m square. In Paralympic competition, the platform must be either ramped or at floor level.

Rules

The Paralympic and Special Olympics powerlifting rules are based upon the official rules of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). The IPF rules may be accessed at http://www.powerlifting.com. The IPF basic rules for lifts follow:

Powerlifting rules specify variables such as the clothing that may be worn during competition, the position of the lifter's hands on the bar, the responsibilities of spotters, etc. Lifters are disqualified for infractions such as failure to observe the referee's signals, improper body position, uneven bar height during the lift, contact with the bar by spotters during the lift, and unsportsmanlike conduct.

The body position on the bench is modified for Paralympic athletes in the bench press. Athletes with physical disabilities must lie with the head, trunk, legs, and both feet extended on the bench (a longer "disabled flat bench" is used for competition). Athletes may be strapped to the bench as needed for stability. Athletes with cerebral palsy and related neurological conditions compete with the knees flexed and an approved wedge under the knees.

Note that powerlifting events (squat, bench press, and deadlift) are different from weightlifting events (snatch and clean-and-jerk).

Equipment

Powerlifting equipment includes:

Other equipment includes the knee wedge used by athletes with cerebral palsy, strapping for athletes with physical disabilities, and approved clothing and weight belts. Equipment specifications are described in the Paralympic powerlifting rules (http://www.paralympic.org), the Special Olympics powerlifting rules (http://www.specialolympics.org), and the International Powerlifting Federation rules (http://www.powerlifting.com).

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