Para athletics is the biggest sport within the Paralympic Movement in terms of the number of participating athletes and countries.
It was one of the eight sports included in the first Paralympic Games held in Rome, in 1960. It has remained on the programme ever since, consistently attracting the biggest crowds and TV audiences.
Male and female athletes with a physical, vision or intellectual impairment are eligible to compete. Athletes compete according to their sport specific classification in each event. Some compete in wheelchairs and some with prostheses, while some vision impaired athletes may be supported by a sighted guide.
The athletics events on the Paralympic programme include:
Please note that not all events are available for all classes in the Paralympic Programme. Paralympic programme events can be seen on p. 250 of the World Para Athletics rules (see link below under DOCUMENTS).
When competing nationally, all events for all classes may be available. Please check with competition organisers before entering.
Most Para athletics events, including discus, javelin, shot put and wheelchair racing, require specific sport equipment. Additionally, athletes may use assistive devices including prosthetics, rope tethers, and acoustic devices.
The prosthetics used have been specifically developed to withstand the demands of competition. Leg prostheses are required in track events, but in field events they are optional.
Rope tethers and other devices may be used by runners with vision impairment to link them to their sighted guides. Acoustic devices (or a sighted ‘caller’) may be used to indicate throwing targets, take-off in jumping events, etc.
World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations February 2023
National
Paralympics Ireland (currently have the responsibility to prepare athletes to compete at all international competitions including European Championships, World Championships, and Paralympic Games)
Any enquiries about the para-athletics programme can be made by sending an email to para-athletics@paralympics.ie
International
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SmRVtp9QF0
The Para-Athletics Pathway consists of a number of stages as below
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The ENTRY POINT to getting involved in athletics is to join your local athletics club and working with a qualified coach. Clubs should be affiliated with Athletics Ireland
After at least five months training, athletes (over 15 years) should apply to get a national classification and begin competing as a para-athlete.
Once you start competing as a para-athlete, if you want to inform Para-Athletics Performance staff of your performances, do so through this link or via the QR code below.
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If you are already training and competing in athletics and think you have potential and desire to become a Paralympian, please click on below to apply to our Talent Search
Hypertonia | Impaired Muscle Power |
Ataxia | Leg Length Difference |
Athetosis | Impaired Passive Range of Movement |
Limb Deficiency | Vision Impairment |
Short Stature | Intellectual Impairment |
Athletes are grouped into classes in accordance with the classification rules. An athlete’s class is based on how their impairment affects sports performance. In general, athletes with impairments that have a similar impact on sport performance will compete in the same sport class.
For illustrated explanation please click on the button below.
In athletics, the sport class consists of a prefix “T” or “F” and a number. The prefix T stands for “track” and F stands for “field” events respectively. It indicates for which type of athletics events the sport class applies – either for track or for field events. The numerical figure in Para athletics classification represents the level of impairment; the lower the number within each impairment type, the more severe the impairment.
T20, F20 | Athletes with an intellectual impairment |
T31-38, F31-38, T40-47, F40-47, T51-54, F51-57, T61-64, F61-64 | Athletes with a physical impairment |
T11-13, F11-13 | Athletes with a vision impairment |
To evaluate the impact of impairments on Para athletics, classifiers assess all functional body structures and ask the athlete to complete a technical assessment containing sport specific tasks.
For further information on each class, access the Para Athletics Classes Description Sheet.
Paralympics Ireland work with the current World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations and the IPC Athlete Classification Code and International Standards.
Athletes can be a member of any Athletics Ireland club and enter open competitions and IWA competitions without a classification.
National classification allows eligible athletes to compete as a Para athlete in national competitions but does not always qualify an athlete to compete internationally and it does not mean an athlete will automatically go on to have a WPA (international) classification.
Please find the classification pathway here
To be eligible to apply for a national classification, athletes must:
Date | Competition | Where | How to apply | Deadline |
25th May 2024 | Athletics Ireland Leinster Junior U23 and Senior Championships | SETU Carlow | · Send medical diagnostics form and support medical documentation to classification@paralympics.ie
· Enter the competition here |
3rd May |
20th July 2024 | IWA Irish National Games | Carlow | · Send medical diagnostics form and support medical documentation to classification@paralympics.ie
· Enter the competition here |
5th July |
International classification allows Para athletes to compete internationally at WPA sanctioned competitions and Grand Prix’s.
It is only required for those athletes on the Paralympic pathway to represent Ireland at major games or championships.
To be eligible to apply for international classification, athletes must:
This list includes active athletes who have been classified at national and/or international level. Click here to access the Masterlist.
Competitions
Para-athletes (those that have a national classification) should look to compete regularly in line with their training plan. Competitions in Ireland can be found via Athletics Ireland.
Paralympics Ireland request World Para Athletics (WPA) competition endorsement for some national competitions that fulfil a number of criteria.
Details of national competitions with WPA endorsement can be found here.
Athlete Licensing
If advised to do so by the Para-Athletics Performance team or if your performances are close to being considered for a Senior Team, you will need to apply for a WPA Athlete Licence through Paralympics Ireland.
This athlete licence enables your performances (at WPA endorsed competitions) to be listed on the WPA Ranking lists which is a requirement to be able to compete overseas, at WPA major championships and Paralympic Games.
If you feel you are at the required level to apply for a WPA Athlete licence, or would like more information, send an email to para-athletics@paralympics.ie detailing WPA ATHLETE LICENCE in the subject title.
Competition | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games | 1 | 1 | ||
2019 World Para Athletics Championships | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
2017 World Para Athletics Championships | 4 | 3 | 7 | |
2016 Rio Paralympic Games | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
2015 IPC Athletics World Championships | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
2013 IPC Athletics World Championships | 4 | 1 | 5 | |
2012 London Paralympic Games | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
2011 IPC Athletics World Championships | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
2008 Beijing Paralympic Games | 2 | 2 | ||
2006 IPC Athletics World Championships | ||||
2004 Athens Paralympic Games | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
2002 IPC Athletics World Championships | ||||
2000 Sydney Paralympic Games | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
1998 IPC Athletics World Championships | ||||
1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games | 1 | 5 | 6 | |
1994 IPC Athletics World Championships | ||||
1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
1988 Seoul Paralympic Games | 9 | 9 | 12 | 30 |
1984 Stoke Mandeville & New York Paralympic Games | 13 | 11 | 21 | 45 |
1980 Arnhem, Netherlands Paralympic Games | 1 | 9 | 10 | |
1976 Toronto Paralympic Games | 2 | 8 | 6 | 16 |
1972 Heidelberg Paralympic Games | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
1967 Israel Paralympic Games | 1 | 1 |
Check back regularly for the latest selection policies.
Panel Selection Policies
World Para Athletics Championships Selection Policies
2024 World Para Athletics Championships Selection Policy
Paralympic Games Selection Policies
Para Athletics Paris 2024 Nomination Policy