ATHLETICS
History
Athletics in general have a long history dating back to the times of the ancient Greeks. For athletes
with a disability, the first organized competitions began in 1952 when Wheelchair Racing was
included at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England within the framework of the Games
organized for World War II veterans. Athletics has been part of the Paralympic Games since the
very beginning in 1960. Over the next twenty years, additional groups of athletes with a disability
were able to join the Paralympic competition.
Classification
For Classification, please refer to Rules & Regulations document.
Rules and Regulations
For Classification, please refer to Rules & Regulations document.
Equipment
Many athletics events require specific sports equipment for example, the discus, shot or javelin. In
addition athletes may use certain assistive devices as specified in the IPC Athletics rules. This
technology continues to advance at a rapid rate.
Wheelchairs are considered to be sports equipment in track and field events. Athletics wheelchairs
tend to be very lightweight. The dimensions and features of wheelchairs are clearly specified in the
IPC Athletics rules.
Prosthetic devices may be used by amputees. These 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.
Rope tethers or other devices may be used by runners with a visual impairment to link with their
sighted guides. Acoustic devices (or a sighted "caller") may be used to indicate take-off in jumping
events, throwing target areas, etc.
Competition Schedule