Learn more about why Athletics is such an integral part of the Paralympic Movement by wathching this 2:42 minute video.

Athletics (Track and Field)

• Athletics is open to all disabilityA Disability is generally a condition either caused by accident, trauma, genetics or disease, which may restrict a person's mental processes, senses or mobility. categories.
• Athletics has more events and competitions than any other sport.
• Track and Field events include all Olympic distances (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 10,000m, 4 x 100m relay and 4 x 400m relay), shotput, discus, javelin, long, high and triple jump, the pentathlon and the marathon.
• Athletics became a Paralympic Games sport in Rome in 1960.

ClassificationAthletes are classified by classifiers into classes by their ability to function. The aim is to ensure that athletes of similar ability compete against one another.

F is for field athletes

T is for track athletes

The following number refers to the type of disability.

• 11-13: visually impaired*
• 20: intellectually disabled
• 31-38: cerebral palsyA disorder of movement and posture due to damage to an area of the brain that controls and coordinates muscle tone, reflexes, posture and movement. "Cerebral" mean brain-centred; "palsy" is a lack of muscle control.
• 41-46: amputees and les autresis French for 'others'. It is a term used to describe athletes with a range of conditions which result in locomotor disorders that do not fit the traditional classification systems of the established disability group, eg dwarfism, polio, MS**
• T 51-56: wheelchairThis refers to a group of athletes with a disability who are eligible to compete in wheelchair events. Some of the conditions resulting in eligibility into wheelchair events are: paraplegia, quadriplegia, spina bifida, poliomyelitis, amputee, cerebral palsy. track athletes
• F 51-58: wheelchair field athletes

*Track athletes in class 11 can run with a sighted person who acts as a guide

*Track & Field athletes can use electronic noises, clapping or voices, if they compete in the 100m, long jump or triple jump.

**Athletes in classes 42, 43 and 44 have to wear a prostheticA device that takes the place of a missing part of the body ie leg, arm limbarm or leg while competing, but this is optional for classes 45 and 46.

 Click on the below famous Australian track athletes to view their profiles:

	Kurt Fearnley - Missing the lower portion of his spine
	Kelly Cartwright - Leg amputee