What is para athletics?
B · Beginner · Classes and entry · 1 of 4Para athletics is running, jumping, throwing and wheelchair racing for athletes with an eligible impairment, under World Para Athletics, part of the IPC. Athletes compete in sport classes of similar impairment, so results compare like with like. The rules build on World Athletics, adding guide-runners, racing wheelchairs, throwing frames and frame running.
How it works
- Governing body: World Para Athletics, run by the IPC.
- Events: track, jumps, throws, wheelchair races, frame running and road races.
- Sport classes: a letter for the event type and a number for the impairment.
- Track and jumps: T classes; throws: F classes.
- Guides: T11 and T12 athletes may run with a guide-runner.
- Seated throws: from a throwing frame.
- Base rules: World Athletics rules, adapted.
- Officials: referees can warn with yellow cards and exclude with red.
The glossary has the para athletics, the sport class code, the eligible impairments (para athletics), the guide-runner, the racing wheelchair and the throwing frame.
Tricky cases
Do para athletes use the same track and implements?
Yes, the same standard track; seated throwers use frames, and the club throw is a para event.
Are men and women ever mixed in a stadium race?
Only in races of 5,000 m or more with too few entries, and never at the Paralympic Games or WPA Championships.
Can guide dogs come into the arena?
No. No animals are allowed in the competition area.
Are there age groups?
Yes: under-17, under-20 and masters from 35.
Why the rule exists
Grouping athletes by impairment means a race is decided by training and talent, not by how much impairment an athlete has. The extra rules make the sport safe and fair with guides, chairs and frames.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vision classes | Guide-runners and eye covers | R 6.14, 7.7 |
| Wheelchair classes | Racing chair rules | R 14 |
| Seated throws | Throwing frame rules | R 35, 36 |
From the rule book
World Para Athletics, Rules and Regulations, September 2026, Rules 4, 6, 7, 14 and 35, with the World Para Athletics Classification page. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations, September 2026.