Para-swimming classification

Para-swimming classification is a functional based classification system designed to allow for fair competition in disability swimming. The classes are prefixed with "S" for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, "SB" for breaststroke and "SM" for individual medley events. The swimmers with physical disabilities are divided into ten classes, based on the degree of functional disability. Swimmers with visual impairments are divided into three classes. There is also one last class, S14, which is for intellectually disabled swimmers.

Swimming was one of the first organised sports for people with disabilities, and was contested at the 1960 Summer Paralympics. The rules for this sport and approval for classification were set by the Fédération International de Natation Amateur (FINA), with the International Paralympic Committee taking over the governance of classification in 1992. As of 2012, people with visual, physical and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport. The classification system started out as a medical based classification, before moving to a functional disability based one. The changes were made in order to make para-swimming more competitive. The sport is moving towards an evidence-based classification system.

Swimming classification is based on a functional system, where non-swimming related physical criteria are assessed. This means that athletes who may have quite different physical disabilities may still compete in the same class, so long as their functional impairment is similar.^[1] In swimming, bilateral below the elbow amputations have a significant impact on functional ability to swim. As a result, swimming classifications differ from athletics because of the differences in body use requirements impacting performance.^[2] The swimmers are divided into ten classes, numbered S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 and S10, based on the degree of functional disability. The most severely affected are in class 1, who are normally wheelchair bound outside the pool. The classes are prefixed with "S" for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, "SB" for breaststroke and "SM" for individual medley events.^[3] Different strokes require the use of different muscle types. In the case of the breaststroke, the hand and the hip play a crucial role in the ability to swim this stroke.^[4] Because this, a swimmer may compete in one class for one stroke and a different one for another.^[5] Because of the functional mobility classifications in this sport, swimmers with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and limb deficiencies could all compete against each other.^[6] It is the only Paralympic sport where the classification system would allow this.^[7]

In addition, there are three classes, S11, S12 and S13, for visually impaired swimmers. Again, the lower number indicates a greater degree of impairment: class 11 swimmers are blind or nearly blind, and compete in blackened-out goggles.^[3] They have a "tapper" who uses a pole or "bonker" to tap the swimmer to warn them that they are approaching the end of the pool.^[8] The blind classifications are based on medical classification, no functional mobility classification.^[9] There is also one last class, S14, which is for intellectually disabled swimmers.^[3] This class was dropped for the 2004 Summer Paralympics and the 2008 Summer Paralympics,^[5] but was restored for the 2012 Summer Paralympics.^[8]

The general rules for Paralympic swimming are based on those intended for able-bodied competitors.^[10] The rules regarding strokes, turns and the length of time that swimmers may remain under water are similar to those for the Olympic Games.^[8] Events take place in a standard 50m pool.^[8] Swimmers may dive in or start in the water.^[5] Swimmers may not use any assistive technology while competing. ^[11]

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  Visualisation of functional mobility for a S1 competitor
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  Visualisation of functional mobility for a S2 competitor
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  Visualisation of functional vision for a S11 competitor
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  Visualisation of functional vision for a S12 competitor
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  Visualisation of functional vision for a S13 competitor
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  Visualisation of a S15 (hearing impaired) competitor

Swimming was one of the eight sports contested in the first Paralympics, the 1960 Summer Paralympics in Rome.^[12] The rules for this sport and approval for classification were set by the Fédération International de Natation Amateur (FINA).^[13] In 1992, the International Paralympic Committee formally became the governing body for disability swimming,^[14]Four different sporting bodies including the IBSA, ISOD, ISMWSF and the CP-ISRA assisted the IPC in governing swimming at the 1992 Games.^[15] The IPC continued to govern classification into the 2012 Summer Paralympics. The IPC Classification Code and IPC Swimming govern the classification process through their rules, with the classification process being implemented by classifiers recognised by the IPC.^[16]

As of 2012^[update], people with visual, physical and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport.^[3] In 1983, Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) set the eligibility rules for classification for this sport. They defined cerebral palsy as a non-progressive brain lesion that results in impairment. People with cerebral palsy or non-progressive brain damage were eligible for classification by them. The organisation also dealt with classification for people with similar impairments. For their classification system, people with spina bifida were not eligible unless they had medical evidence of loco-motor dysfunction. People with cerebral palsy and epilepsy were eligible provided the condition did not interfere with their ability to compete. People who had strokes were eligible for classification following medical clearance. Competitors with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and arthrogryposis were not eligible for classification by CP-ISRA, but were eligible for classification by International Sports Organisation for the Disabled for the Games of Les Autres.^[17]

The classification for this sport was created during the 1940s and for much of its early history was a medical condition based classification system.^[18] The debate about inclusion of competitors into able-bodied competitions was seen by some disability sport advocates like Horst Strokhkendl as a hindrance to the development of an independent classification system not based on the rules for able-bodied sport. These efforts ended by 1993 as the International Paralympic Committee carved out its own identity, and largely ceased efforts for inclusion of disability sports on the Olympic programme.^[19]

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the classification system, set up as a series of "handicaps", was seen as problematic because in an effort co clearly describe a disability and promote fairness, the number of classifications had made having competitive events difficult as there were too few people in a classification to the point where an international event for people with disabilities said "1000 competitors = 1000 winners."^[20] There were some expectations to this in classes like double leg paralysis as a result of brain or spinal injury and single leg amputations.By the early 1960s, there was an acknowledgement in the German swimming community that it was not fair for swimmers with tetraspasticism to compete against swimmers with lower extremity paralysis.^[20]

In 1974, the Disabled of the German State of North Rhine - Westfalia (BSNW) developed a swimming classification system that stayed in use until 1982. Their system had seven classifications. There was a CP class for athletes with hemiispacitiy who would also compete in the same class against Class C competitors who were single arm above the elbow amputees, had double-arm dysmelia type ectromedlia, had single arm paralysis or had a fixed shoulder joint. There was an intellectual disability class called Class J. There was a Class H for people with severe disabilities. The system was later expanded to include nine classes before it was discontinued. BSNW classification events included swimming races from 50 to 1500 metres. The BSNW system did not gain international support, and only was used inside Germany. It was discarded because of a need to have athletes classified for international competitions.^[21]

In 1983, classification for cerebral palsy competitors in this sport was done by the Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association.^[22] There were five cerebral palsy classifications.^[23] Class 1 competitors could compete in the 25 metre freestyle event with flotation devices and the without flotation devices.^[24] Class 2 competitors could compete in the same events as class 1 competitors, but only against class 2 competitors^[25] That year, 80 to 85 per cent of all competitors with cerebral palsy competed in the same classification.^[26]

By 1990, there were ten classifications that could compete in breaststroke.^[27] Classification for swimming at times relied on a points system to assess the severity of physical disability with out considering athlete functionality specifically as it applied to the ability to swim. This created some problems with swimming classification because certain types of disability had a greater negative impact on swimming than others, and the point system did not always address functional ability. Attempts were made in 1990 to address this by eliminating point consideration for disability types that did not impact performance.^[28] During the 1990s, there were efforts to reduce the number of swimming classifications.^[21] There was a decision to try to fix athlete classification so that competitors could have more certainty in which classification they would compete in before attending an event. This was a big change as previously, athletes would be classified right before, and even during an event.^[29] The number of swimming classifications subsequently dropped from 31 at Seoul to 10 in Barcelona.^[30]

Going into the 1992 Summer Paralympics, there was a push to move more towards a functional classification system by the International Coordinating Committee and the Technical Committee of the International Paralympic Committee. This came to a head at the November 1989 meeting of the Barcelona Olympics Organising Committee, when a discussion was started about what events and classifications should be eligible for the Games. A study by the organising committee and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in the lead up to the meeting. It looked at the results for the 1984 and 1987 Stoke Mandeville Games, the 1984 New York Games, a 1985 Brussels competition, a 1985 Rome competition, a 1986 Puerto Rico competition, a 1987 Paris competition, the 1988 Seoul Games and a 1989 Nottingham competition. The study proposed a series of classes, based on the competitive results, for use in Barcelona. The local organising committee was insistent such a system be implemented to insure the sport at the Paralympic Games was serious and competitive, instead of recreational. The suggestions for classification were then implemented for sports such as swimming and athletics. ^[31] The Games were the first ones where swimmers of different types of disabilities competed against each other, swimmers had a guaranteed right to appeal their classification.^[32]

Ahead of the 2000 Summer Paralympics, changes were made in classification for the breaststroke, bringing the total number of functional classifications down to nine, from ten that had competed in Atlanta. This was in response the fewer competitors in this classification and the slowness of the speed of competitors. Swimmers who had been classified as SB10 in Atlanta opted not to compete in Sydney. Several former SB8 and SB9 swimmers moved down a class to compete, and made the finals in their classifications.^[33]

The S9 classification was part of the 1994 Commonwealth Games.^[34] Several classes in this sport were included in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.^[34]

The effort coincided with the rise of sports science. The first detailed international swimming sport science project was conducted at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. This was followed by a similar project at the 1992 Summer Paralympics in Barcelona. This provided an increasingly detailed understanding of the factors involved in high performance swimming.^[35] Henceforth sports science became the driver of both performance and classification.^[36]

During the classification process, a variety of things are looked at, including whether or not a swimmer's physical limitations require them to start in the water, and how a swimmer enters the water in competition.^[37] At international competitions, there is a two person classification panel, with at least one of the classifiers having a medical background. Classifiers are required to be aware of and familiar with the type of disability they are classifying: physical, visual or intellectual. ^[16] National classification should mirror the international classification process, while being left to nationally recognised IPC classifiers.^[16] For example, for Australian competitors in this sport, the sport and classification is managed the national sport federation with support from the Australian Paralympic Committee.^[38] There are three types of classification available for Australian competitors: Provisional, national and international. The first is for club level competitions, the second for state and national competitions, and the third for international competitions.^[39]

Internationally, all classification is handled in English but athletes are allowed to have an interpreter present during the process. During the classification process, swimmers are required to disclose any medications they regularly use and provide detailed records of their medical history that a classifier may deem relevant for evaluating their classification. Swimmers are allowed to have some one familiar with their swimming limitations present during the process. The process includes a physical assessment, a functional assessment that may include performance in the pool and engaging in other physical activities, observation assessment, and specified means of physical and technical assessment. Swimmers with visual impairment do not require functional and observation components of assessment. If a swimmer intentionally misrepresents their disability, they will be barred from the classification process for a minimum of two years and be unable to compete.^[16]

If swimmers do not agree with their classification, they can appeal it through the International Paralympic Committee Board of Appeal on Classification, which is the body recognised by IPC Swimming. Classification can be protested, and formal processes exist for how to do this in non-competition and competition periods. ^[16]

The classification assessment took roughly 30 to 45 minutes at the 1996 Summer Paralympics. Classification for blind swimmers took less time, and only lasted around 15 minutes.^[1]

At the 1988 Summer Paralympics, the number of eligible classes was so great that 60 gold medals were awarded in one swimming event.^[40] All disability types were eligible to participate at the 1992 Summer Paralympics, with classification being run through the International Paralympic Committee, based on functional disability type.^[41] General and functional classification took place in the Paralympic Village in block 2 from 29 to 31 August with functional swimming classification taking place on the same dates at the Piscines Bernat Picronell.^[32] Classification was important because if on the spot classifications resulted in changes to a competitor's classification, it impacted the competition schedule. Consequently, on the spot classification or re-classification, was viewed as a negative aspect of the 1996 Summer Paralympics and the Paralympic movement overall. At the 2000 Summer Paralympics, 54 assessments were conducted at the Games, which resulted in 13 class changes. There was one PNS protest and two PPS protests by a national Paralympic committee, with one classification upheld and two denied. There were six classification appeals lodged for swimming at the 2000 Summer Paralympics involving four athletes which resulted in two class changes.^[42]

Going forward, disability sport's major classification body, the International Paralympic Committee, is working on improving classification to be more of an evidence based system, as opposed to a performance based system, so as not to punish elite athletes whose performance makes them appear in a higher class alongside competitors who train less.^[43]

• Bailey, Steve (2008). Athlete First: A History of the Paralympic Movement (First ed.). West Sussex, England: Wiley-Interscience. ISBN 0470058242. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Cashman, Richard I; Darcy, Simon (2008). Benchmark games : the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Petersham, N.S.W.: Walla Walla Press in conjunction with the Australian Centre for Olympic Studies University of Technology, Sydney. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association (1983). Classification and sport rules manual (Third ed.). Wolfheze, the Netherlands: CP-ISRA. OCLC 220878468. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Chatard, Jean-Claude (2003). Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming IX: Proceedings of the IXth World Symposium on Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming, University of Saint-Etienne, France, 21-23 June, 2002. France: Université de Saint-Etienne. ISBN 978-2-86272-303-7. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 0873228480. OCLC 31710003. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Doll-Tepper, Gudrun; Kröner, Michael; Sonnenschein, Werner (2001). "Organisation and Administration of the Classification Process for the Paralympics". New Horizons in sport for athletes with a disability : proceedings of the International VISTA '99 Conference, Cologne, Germany, 28 August-1 September 1999. Vol. 1. Oxford (UK): Meyer & Meyer Sport. ISBN 1841260363. OCLC 48404898. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Gómez, Ricardo Hernández; Ferrer, Josep Oriol Martínez; Vales, Migual Angel Montesinos; Gutiérrez, Olga Sánchez-Girón (1990). EDMF handbook on the Disability Evaluation Method for Disabled Athletes for the Completion of the Examination Card and Subsequent Medical and Sports Classification. Barcelona: Federación Española de Deportes de Minusválidos Físicos (FEDMF). OCLC 802831213. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Gilbert, Keith; Schantz, Otto J. (2009). The Paralympic Games: Empowerment Or Side Show?. Meyer & Meyer Verlag. ISBN 978-1-84126-265-9. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Steadward, Robert D; Peterson, Cynthia (1997). Paralympics : where heroes come. Edmonton: One Shot Holdings Publ. Division. ISBN 0968209203. OCLC 716890782. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Vanlandewijck, Yves; Thompson, Walter R, eds. (2011). The Paralympic Athlete. Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 9781444334043. OCLC 642278479. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)