Paralympic Track Events
UK Athletics 2008 Conference
Presentation by Chris Cohen
Why do we need
special rules ?
Not to make it easy.
To make it possible.
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But we always
follow the rules
CLASSIFICATIONS
I.P.C. ATHLETICS SECTION
Intellectually
Disabled
Learning Disabled
Blind Visually
& Visually
Handicapped
Impaired
Class 11 - 13
Class 20
Cerebral Palsy
Class 32 - 34 (Wheelchair)
Class 35 - 38 (Ambulatory)
Amputees & les Autres
Class 40 (Dwarfs)
Class 42 - 44 (Leg Amputees)
Class 45 - 46 (Arm Amputees)
Paraplegic & Tetraplegic
Class T51 - T54 (Track)
Class F51 - F58 (Field)
(All wheelchairs)
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THE RULES
• Two rule books are
used in I.P.C.
competitions.
• The I.A.A.F.
Handbook
• The I.P.C. Athletics
Rule Book
The Rules
The numbering in the I.A.A.F. Handbook is used to
make finding and reading the I.P.C. Rules simpler.
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The Rules
Rule 144 Para 2(f) (Classes 11 – 12)
The method of guidance is the choice of the athlete. He/she
may choose to use an elbow lead, or a tether, or to run free.
In addition, the runner may receive verbal instruction from the
guide. The guide must not use a bicycle or other mechanical
means of transport.
Rule 162 Para 4 (Classes T32 - 34, T51 - 54)
Delete: second and third paragraphs.
Insert: After the “On Your marks” command, an athlete shall
approach the start line, assume a position entirely within his
allocated lane and behind the start line. At the “Set”
command, an athlete should immediately take up his final
starting position retaining the contact of the front wheel with
the ground behind the line.
Techniques of Officiating
The current I.P.C. Rule Book was published in March 2006
and was used for all I.P.C. competitions during 2007.
A new edition is currently being prepared for publication and
will be used at the PWC and the Beijing Paralympic Games.
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TRACK EVENTS
EVENTS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES
Class 11 are totally blind and have several special rules.
Class 12 are partially sighted but are allowed some special rules.
Class 13 are also partially sighted, but use all the rules of I.A.A.F.
It is also important to recognise that some athletes have more
than one disability – including athletes who are both deaf and
blind.
Special arrangements must also be made for them.
Visually Impaired
Runners
DARK GLASSES:
In all track events,
all athletes in Class 11 must wear approved opaque glasses.
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Visually Impaired
Runners
GUIDE RUNNERS:
In all track events, athletes in Class 11 must use a guide.
The Guide must wear a brightly coloured bib to identify him / her.
The guide must stay within 50 centimetres of the athlete, except in the
last ten metres of the race and also in extreme circumstances.
Visually Impaired
Runners
GUIDE RUNNERS:
All the rules that apply to the runner apply to the guide.
Both must use starting blocks and you will use False Start Equipment.
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Visually Impaired
Runners
Visually Impaired
Runners
GUIDE RUNNERS:
Athlete and guide are
given two lanes, and are
treated as one person.
Athletes in Class 12 are
allowed to use a guide,
but must follow the same
rules as Class 11 athletes
if they do so.
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Visually Impaired
Runners
GUIDE RUNNERS:
At the finish, the athlete MUST cross the
line first.
Two guides are allowed in races further
than 400 metres. The change must take
place in an area decided by the officials on
the straight, and must not hinder other
athletes.
In the marathon four guides are allowed
with the changes possible at each 10km
mark.
Visually Impaired
Runners
THE FINISH:
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Visually Impaired
Runners
GUIDE RUNNERS:
Visually Impaired
Runners
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Visually Impaired
Runners
Visually Impaired
Runners
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Visually Impaired
Runners
ASSISTANCE:
Because the athlete cannot see the time clock, and may not be able
to understand the language of the timekeeper shouting it out, a
member of team staff is allowed to stand close to the finish, outside
the competition area, to call the intermediate times.
Visually Impaired
Runners
EVENT FORMATION:
In sprint races, there will only be four athletes on the track at
any time – along with four guides.
If heats or qualifying rounds are held, and three Semi-Finals
take place, then two Finals must be held, an “A” Final for the
best athletes, and a “B” Final for the next four best.
The number of athletes in all events is different from normal.
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Visually Impaired
Runners
EVENT FORMATION:
100 metres – 400 metres 4 athletes
800 metres
5 athletes / 4 athletes
1500 metres
6 athletes
5000 & 10000 metres
10 athletes
Visually Impaired
Runners
RELAYS:
Both the 4 x 100 metres and 4 x 400 metres events are attempted by
Class 11 – 13 athletes.
The team of four athletes must have at least one Class 11 and one
Class 12 athlete, and no more than one Class 13 athlete.
Class 11
Class 12
Class 13
Three
One
None
Two
One
One
Two
Two
None
One
Three
None
One
Two
One
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Visually Impaired
Runners
RELAYS:
Changeover of baton must take place within the take-over zone,
and both athletes and their guides must be inside the zone when
this happens.
The changeover may be by the athlete or the guide.
The athlete must enter the take-over zone first.
An escort may help to position a Class 12 athlete who is running
without a guide.
INTELLECTUALLY
DISABILITY
ASSISTANCE:
Athletes are allowed to take a paper with
their starting block measurements shown,
and ask the officials at the start to set the
blocks as shown.
At major events, this would be a preprinted form, given in at the Call Room.
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CEREBRAL PALSY
AMBULATORY ATHLETES
WITH CEREBRAL PALSY:
Athletes do not have to use
starting blocks.
They may use a standing start,
or a crouch start, with or
without blocks.
Special starting arrangements
can be made for deaf athletes,
including a flag or a strobe light
connected to the starting pistol.
LEG AMPUTEES
THE START:
Athletes do not have to use starting blocks.
They may use a standing start, or a crouch start, with or without
blocks.
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LEG AMPUTEES
THE RACE:
Athletes must use their leg
prosthesis to run.
They are not allowed to hop.
The athlete can wear a
prosthesis or a shoe insert to
ensure both legs are a similar
length, but cannot lengthen
their legs.
LEG AMPUTEES
THE RACE:
The athlete can wear a
prosthesis or a shoe insert to
ensure both legs are a similar
length, but cannot lengthen
their legs.
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ARM AMPUTEES
ASSISTANCE:
Athletes are allowed to take a paper with
their starting block measurements shown,
and ask the officials at the start to set the
blocks as shown.
At major events, this would be a pre-printed
form, given in at the Call Room.
ARM AMPUTEES
THE START:
Arm amputees and other athletes with
arm disabilities may use a block or
pad to rest their arm at the start. This
should be treated as any part of the
arm or hand.
It is now more normal to wear a prosthesis for running.
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AMPUTEES
THE RELAY:
There are various combinations for relays.
The main rules relate to whether double arm amputees are
competing, in which case the change-over is by touch, or leg and
single arm amputees, in which it is by baton.
There will always be a maximum of two of the least disabled group in
the team.
AMPUTEES
THE RELAY:
Class 42; 43; 44 & 46 competing – changeover by baton.
Class 42; 43; 44; 45 & 46 competing – changeover by touch.
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AMPUTEES
WINDSPEED:
The same as IAAF
This is also the case in
Classes T32 – T34 and
T51 – T54.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RACING CHAIR:
The chair must have at least
three wheels, usually a small
one at the front, though some
have two, and two larger ones,
each with a push-rim.
Gears are not allowed.
The athlete makes progress by
using the push-rims.
The athlete must be able to
steer the chair.
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RACING CHAIR:
The maximum height of each large wheel is 70cm.
The maximum height of each small wheel is 50cm.
The back part of the chair must be the wheels. To ensure the
chair is the correct “shape” it should be pushed against a wall to
check that only the wheels touch the wall.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RACING CHAIR:
The wheelchair is not allowed to have
any additions which make it more
aerodynamic.
Cowlings may only reach the front
hub and may not be on the outside of
the rear wheels.
The maximum height of additional
parts is 70 cm.
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE START:
The wheelchair should be treated just like the runner`s limbs, and
should be touching the ground behind the line, not on it.
The starter and his assistants should watch the athletes` arms to help
decide when they are ready for their next instruction.
Instructions are the same as for runners, being “On Your Marks,
Set, Gun” in sprints and “On Your Marks, Gun” in races of 800
metres and over.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE START:
If there is a false or faulty start,
the starter should call
“Wheel back”
and not
“Stand up”.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE START:
If there is not enough space for all athletes competing, some may start
behind others.
Athletes should always be ranked by their best time.
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE START:
18
7
15
19
4
8
14
21
3
10
1
12
22
11
13
20
9
16
17
2
5
6
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE START:
If there is a crash in the first 50 metres in any race of 1500 metres or
longer on the track, then the starter can recall the race and restart it.
This should only be done if at least half of the athletes in the race are
involved in the crash.
The Track Referee can also carry out his / her duties and disqualify
any athlete guilty of breaking rules.
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RACE:
In all events of 800 metres and over, including the 4 x 400 metres
Relay, athletes must wear a helmet.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RACE:
Although athletes may race as close as they wish to do, officials
should always note when the front wheels are inside the rear wheels
of the chair ahead. Although this is not against the rules, if an
incident happens, this fact may be significant, as an example of
carelessness.
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RACE:
Athletes must take great care when overtaking. It is the
responsibility of the athlete overtaking not to pull back in before it
is safe to do so. It is also the responsibility of the inside athlete not
to move out while being overtaken.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RACE:
The lap-score board should be at
a lower height than normal.
The lap-score board should be at
80 – 100 cm. So the athlete does
not need to look up.
Wind gauge should be at the
normal height.
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE FINISH:
Athletes must wear a lane number, as do runners, but they wear
it on their chair in sprints or their helmet in longer races.
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE FINISH:
Athletes finish when the hub of the leading wheel reaches the
finish line.
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
PHOTOCELLS AT FINISH OF WHEELCHAIR RACE
2:36.77
+20cm
+20cm
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE FINISH:
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN START & FINISH:
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RELAY:
Each team has
two lanes
available for their
use. They can use
either or both
lanes
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WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
THE RELAY:
The relay is by the first touch on the body which must be within the takeover zone. The incoming athlete must not push the outgoing athlete.
INFORMATION
COMPETITION FORMS:
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