What are the classes in para triathlon?
B · Beginner · Classes and the start · 2 of 3There are three groups of classes. PTWC1 and PTWC2 are wheelchair users, PTWC1 the most impaired. PTS2 to PTS5 are standing athletes, from severe to mild impairment. PTVI1 to PTVI3 have a vision impairment, PTVI1 being blind. They form six medal events: PTWC, PTS2, PTS3, PTS4, PTS5 and PTVI. Every athlete needs international classification.
How it works
- PTWC1: most impaired wheelchair users.
- PTWC2: least impaired wheelchair users.
- PTS2 to PTS5: standing, severe to mild.
- PTVI1: totally blind or light perception only.
- PTVI2 and PTVI3: partially sighted.
- Medal events: six.
- Combined events: PTWC and PTVI.
- Classification: international, with medical form.
The glossary has the medal events, the PTWC1 and PTWC2, the PTS2 to PTS5, the PTVI1 to PTVI3, the classification (para triathlon) and the compensation time.
Tricky cases
Is there a PTS1 class?
No. The standing classes are PTS2 to PTS5.
Do PTWC1 and PTWC2 race separately?
No. One medal event, with time compensation.
No classifiers at an event. What then?
Medical documents eight weeks before give a provisional class.
Is PTVI1 always blind?
From no light perception to some light perception.
Why the rule exists
Combining the wheelchair classes and the vision classes gives fuller races. Compensation time keeps the combined races fair.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PTWC | Two classes, one event | 17.3 |
| PTS | Four separate events | 17.3 |
| PTVI | Three classes, one event | 17.3 |
From the rule book
World Triathlon, Competition Rules (2026, amendments to 29 April 2026), articles 17.2 to 17.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Triathlon Competition Rules, Section 17.