CLASSIFICATION

Justification:

Efforts are made within the world of wheelchair racing to level the playing field to accommodate athletes who must compete under the constraints of differing disabilities. This is not unique to disabled sports and can be found within the structures of many able-bodied competitive organizations. Swimming, track and cycling athletes are allowed to specialize in the distances and techniques in which they show the most competitive ability based on body type, muscle make up and cardiovascular efficiencies. In boxing, no bout would be allowed to take place between a flyweight athlete and a super heavyweight. Similarly, in wheelchair racing, no quadriplegic should be expected to compete head to head with a unilateral, below the knee amputee. The inequities in functional abilities between differently disabled athletes are great enough to warrant classification in an effort to improve fairness in competition. Some disabled athletes are indistinguishable from "able bodied" people. On the other end of the scale, athletes may be competing while dealing with situations of significant muscular paralysis, loss of autonomic nervous system function and spasticity. These factors will affect the level of performance based on pure time, speed and distance measures achievable by the athletes. However, they in no way reduce the competitiveness of the athletes. An analogy could be made in the autosport world to Formula 1 and Stock Car racing. Certain restrictions limit the speed and handling of Stock Cars in comparison to Formula 1 machines, but the competition is no less fierce and the NASCAR drivers are no less talented at what they do than the top Formula 1 drivers.

The System:

For the purpose of the Wheelchair Race Series, a four category system is used to classify athletes. Racers are divided into classes T1 through T4. Athletes who race on the international stage must go through a rigorous and formal classification protocol to determine their competitive class. The Wheelchair Race Series is primarily a developmental series of races, designed to introduce and encourage athletes in the sport of wheelchair racing. For this reason, our classification is done on a fairly informal basis. Athletes are classified using the same general definitions of the class as is used in international competitions, but no formal testing protocol is carried out. Classification depends on self report and the observations of series organizers of athlete performance. For this reason, some athletes may be listed under uncertain classification (eg. T2/T4) or may move up in class as their physical fitness and racing techniques improve with experience and training. Classification is always a contentious issue (whether in disabled or "able bodied" sports). There will always be exceptions to the rules and individuals who defy classification. Some athletes will always try to move down a class while other athletes will exceed the performance expectations of their class. Exceptional perfromances will always raise questions as to an athletes classification.

Explanation of Classes:

The following is a brief and very general description of the four classes. Much room has been left for interpretation and adaptation to individual athletes. The reader may notice that some overlap exists between classes. Spinal cord injury levels have been used as examples simply because of the prevalence of spinal cord injuries within the wheelchair racing community and for the fact that the mechanics of spinal cord injuries are the most likely to be recognized by the layperson. For a more complete description of disabled athlete classification, please contact BC Wheelchair Sports.
Class T1
Generally reserved for those athletes with significant, high level impairment of all four limbs (quadriplegia). As an example, a typical spinal cord injury level in this classification would be a complete 6th cervical vertebral level injury. Athletes will have little or no function in the lower limb and trunk muscles. Impairment of the arms may include partial or complete paralysis of triceps muscles. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction will typically affect the athlete's body's ability to respond to exertion. Times for athletes competing in this class in a 10 Km road race will typically range in the 45 to 55 minute range.
Class T2
Athletes in the T2 class have significant impairment of all four limbs (quadriplegia). Typical spinal cord injury level in this classification would be a complete 6th or 7th cervical vertebral level injury. Athletes will have little or no function in the lower limb and trunk muscles. The competitor's arms and shoulders will typically retain all or most of their functional ability (in comparison to an "able bodied" individual). Hand function will be impaired. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction will often affect the athlete's body's ability to respond to exertion. Times for athletes competing in this class in a 10 Km. road race will typically range in the 30 to 40 minute range.
Class T3
Athletes in the T3 class have significant impairment of two limbs (paraplegia). Typical spinal cord injury level in this classification would be a complete 1st to 9th thoracic vertebral level injury. Athletes will have little or no function in the lower limb muscles. Some limited function of the trunk muscles may be present in some individuals within this class. Arms, shoulders, hands and autonomic nervous system will usually be fully functional (in comparison to an "able bodied" individual). Times for athletes competing in this class in a 10 Km road race will typically range in the 25 to 35 minute range.
Class T4
The T4 class is considered the "open class". Typical athletes in this class will be low level (lumbar and sacral vertebral level) paraplegics, leg amputees and able bodied individuals. Athletes will have fully functional hand, shoulder and trunk muscles (in comparison to an "able bodied" individual). No autonomic nervous system dysfunction will be present. Significant to full function may be present in the lower limbs. Times for athletes competing in this class in a 10 Km road race will typically range in the 20 to 30 minute range.