Para athletics
Para athletics is running, jumping, throwing and wheelchair racing for athletes with an eligible impairment. Athletes compete in sport classes of similar impairment so that results compare fairly. T11 athletes race with a guide-runner joined only by a tether; seated throwers throw from a frame fixed in the circle.
New to para athletics? Start here
How long
Track and field events by sport class
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Paralympic Games (para athletics)The top title in para athletics; India's biggest medal source at the Paralympics.Every 4 years · Holder: China top with 21 golds of 164 events
- 2World Para Athletics ChampionshipsThe sport's own world title.Every 2 years (to check) · Holder: New Delhi 2025
- 3Asian Para Games (para athletics)Asia's para multi-sport title, held after the Asian Games in the same city.Every 4 years
- 4Commonwealth Games (para athletics)Para events inside the Commonwealth Games programme.Every 4 years · Holder: 59 events; Australia led with 12 golds
India
India has 8 golds, 15 silvers and 12 bronzes at the Paralympic Games by the Games' own medal tables (the all-time table gives 5, 14 and 7). At the World Championships India has 19 golds, 24 silvers and 24 bronzes (6 golds as host in 2025). At the Asian Para Games India has 28 golds (18 at Hangzhou 2022) [the three pages].
- Para athletics at the Paralympic Games: 8 golds, 15 silvers, 12 bronzes by the Games' own medal tables (1984, 2004, 2012 to 2024); the all-time table gives 5, 14 and 7
- World Para Athletics Championships: 19 golds, 24 silvers, 24 bronzes in the all-time table; 6 golds, 9 silvers and 7 bronzes as host in 2025
- Para athletics at the Asian Para Games: 28 gold, 40 silver and 42 bronze in the rows; 18 golds at Hangzhou 2022
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndiaPara athletics at the Paralympic Games: 8 golds, 15 silvers, 12 bronzes (latest 2024); Para athletics at the Asian Para Games: 28 golds, 40 silvers, 42 bronzes (latest 2022)
- United StatesPara athletics at the Paralympic Games: 396 golds, 403 silvers, 380 bronzes (latest 2024); World Para Athletics Championships: 6 golds, 9 silvers, 12 bronzes (latest 2025)
- ChinaPara athletics at the Paralympic Games: 206 golds, 164 silvers, 116 bronzes (latest 2024); Para athletics at the Asian Para Games: 212 golds, 143 silvers, 86 bronzes (latest 2022)
- AustraliaPara athletics at the Paralympic Games: 161 golds, 168 silvers, 175 bronzes (latest 2024); Athletics at the Commonwealth Games: 210 golds, 175 silvers, 149 bronzes (latest 2026)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | World Para Athletics, Rules and Regulations, September 2026 |
| International federation | World Para Athletics, part of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) |
| In India | Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), which runs the National Para Athletics Championship (24th edition, Bhubaneswar, 19 to 21 March 2026); the PCI is on the MYAS list for 2026 |
Where and when it is played
The big events: the Paralympic Games every four years, the World Para Athletics Championships and the Asian Para Games every four years.