How The Paralympics’ Classification System Works
As well as being international salami and ‘buy a book’ day, today is ‘Superhuman Day’, which acknowledges the superhuman efforts of people living with and overcoming disabilities. It seems a very appropriate day for the Paralympics to be kicking off in Rio. The Paralympics are an opportunity for athletes with a physical, intellectual or visual impairment to compete on an international level. However, not everyone with a disability is allowed to compete. In the interest of keeping things as equal as possible, athletes are sorted into classes based on a classification, but how does it work? And is it fair?
Tony Naar is the facilitator at the Australian Paralympic History Project from The University of Queensland and he joined us on The Daily to explain how this classification system works.
Produced by Lucy Ross an Liam Cormican
