Disability Blog No3

I’ve been recently asked about classification and what the different numbers mean by one of our coaches. With this in mind I’m taking this opportunity to tell you what the classification process was for me.

For a disabled athlete to compete they need to go through classification. This is where they will get assessed and be given that all important number. I had mine in Bath. For me I turned up and met with a sports medic and 2 classifiers, the medic checked my notes and checked that I did have Cerebral Palsy. They asked me questions on my disability and how it affected me, mobility checks were made to see how much movement I could do and what I struggled doing. If you’ve ever had an injury it’s like going to the Physio!! We then moved onto the track, a place I love and they asked me to run about 50 metres and to sprint and stop as quick as I could. Once I did the exercises asked of me they had a private discussion and told me I was a T37. Once you have your classification it is unlikely to change, however they ask you to compete in 2 races in the same season the senior classifiers will watch you to see that they have placed you in the right classification. Normally it is about 4-6 weeks after your initial classification is done.  This is to ensure that people perform the same way in both the initial and competition meetings. A few days after you compete, you normally receive an e-mail to confirm your number. Please be aware that although the process for classification is the same the tests given to wheelchair athletes or athletes with other disabilities can vary. If you want to know more please ask me or the other disabled athletes we have at the club!! Just make sure it’s before or after training, we don’t want to be distracted now do we!!

A few of you might be wondering what do all the numbers mean and what makes a person a T37 or T45. I do hope the link below will be of help. After all by Rio 2016 I hope to have educated you enough so that you can watch the Paralympics as complete armchair pundits, impressing your family and friends!!

http://ucoach.com/assets/uploads/files/disability/Classification-Factsheet-v6.pdf

Anyhow I best sign off, I have some training I need to get into!! No rest for the wicked hey!! Have a great week!!

Remember to stay on the right track looking forward to the goal ahead!!

Beth x