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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.
If you are interested in getting involved in Para athletics, please check out the pathway below.
To be considered for a place on the Development Squad athletes must meet the criteria as set out in the selection policies tab (panel criteria). The criteria include the analysis of athlete performance according to their classification.
To be considered for a place on the Senior Squad athletes must meet the criteria as set out in the selection policies tab (panel criteria). The criteria include the analysis of athlete performance according to their classification. Other criteria include:
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National
Paralympics Ireland (currently have the responsibility to prepare athletes to compete at all international competitions including European Championships, World Championships, and Paralympic Games)
International
| 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.
Please find the classification pathway here
To be eligible to apply for a national classification, athletes must:
Athletes who don’t meet the list of criteria above may still be evaluated by the classifiers by prior arrangement. However, he/she will only receive a provisional class in order to facilitate them to compete this year.
| Competition | Venue | Date | Deadline to apply for classification |
| IWA National Championships | IT, Carlow | 9th July | 18th June 2022 |
| Competition | Venue | Date | Deadline to apply for classification |
| Out of competition | DIT Grangegorman,
Dublin |
2nd July | 10th June 2022 |
| Out of competition | DIT Grangegorman,
Dublin |
1st October | 9th September 2022 |
This list includes active athletes who have been classified at national and/or international level. Click here to access the Masterlist.
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.
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 for 2022 can be found here.
| Competition | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games | 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 |
Selection Policies are amended and published annually.
Check back for the latest selection policies in the coming months.
