Athletics is one of the most established and exciting sports and combines sprinting, distance running, wheelchair racing, throwing and jumping events under one roof. Historically, the backbone of summer Paralympic Games, athletes compete according to their functional classification in each event.
Classification
The letter ‘F’ is for field athletes, ‘T’ determines those who compete on the track while the number refers to their functional classification:
- T/F 11-13 Athletes with a Visual Impairment
- T/F 31-38 Athletes with Cerebral Palsy
- T/F 40-46 Amputee & Les Autres
- F 51-58 Seated Field Athletes
Irish interest
Reigning Paralympic track stars, Jason Smyth (T13 100/200 metres) and Michael McKillop (T37 800 metres), will aim to defend their titles at London’s Olympic Stadium in 2012. Ireland’s newest world champion, Catherine O’Neill (F51 Discus) and Orla Barry (European record holder for F57 Discus) will also look to win gold for Ireland.
