T41 is disability sport classification for disability athletics. It is used in track athlete and has a sister classification F41 for field athletes. This is a classification for athletes with short stature.
The T41 and F41 classification is for disability athletics. T41 do not currently challenge for any track events and none of the jumping events. The events presently open for T41 athletes are in the F41 shot put, javelin throw and discus throw.[ citation needed ]
The International Paralympic Committee defined this classification on their website in July 2016 as, "(Short stature)". [1]
In relay events involving T40s classes, no baton is used. Instead, a handoff takes place via touch in the exchange zone. [2]
The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee and has roots in a 2003 attempt to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation". [3] T41 was created in 2013 as an additional classification to the T40 classification which covered competitors of short statue, primarily those with achondroplasia, or under a height of 140 cm for women or 145 cm (male). The T41 classification was added to divide the T40 category further, which would see the maximum height of T40 athletes set at 125 cm (female) and 130 cm (male) whilst the upper range for T41 athletes would retain the 140 cm and 145 cm limits. [4]
In 2010, the IPC announced that they would release a new IPC Athletics Classification handbook that specifically dealt with physical impairments. This classification guide would be put into effect following the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics. One of these changes was creating a minimum age to compete in this class. [5] Athletes needed to be at least 18 years old to compete. This was to prevent still growing children from competing in this class despite otherwise not having a disability. [6]
For the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, the International Paralympic Committee had a zero classification at the Games policy. This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations. All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case-by-case basis. [7] In case there was a need for classification or reclassification at the Games despite best efforts otherwise, athletics classification was scheduled for September 4 and September 5 at Olympic Stadium. For sportspeople with physical or intellectual disabilities going through classification or reclassification in Rio, their in competition observation event is their first appearance in competition at the Games. [7]
Short-statured athletes seeking to compete in this class first need to have a classification evaluation. During this, they undergo a medical examination where their height and limbs are measured, and are asked to demonstrate skills in athletics such as running and throwing. A determination is then made as to what classification an athlete should compete in.[ citation needed ]
Notable competitors in this classification include Tunisian discus thrower and shot putter Raoua Tlili and British javelin thrower Kyron Duke.[ citation needed ]
T34 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics. The classification is one of eight specifically for athletes with cerebral palsy, and one of four for athletes with cerebral palsy who use a wheelchair. People in this class have hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis. This class includes people who have cerebral palsy, or who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
T35 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics' running competitions. It includes people who have coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis. This includes people with cerebral palsy. The classification is used at the Paralympic Games. The corresponding F35 classification includes club and discus throw, shot put, and javelin.
T40 is disability sport classification for disability athletics, specifically athletes of short stature. Male athletes under 130 cm and female athletes under 125 cm can compete in this category.
T44 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics, applying to "Single below knee amputation or an athlete who can walk with moderately reduced function in one or both legs." It includes ISOD A4 and A9 classes.
T45 is disability sport classification in disability athletics for people with double above or below the elbow amputations, or a similar disability. The class includes people who are ISOD classes A5 and A7. The nature of the disability of people in this class can make them prone to overuse injuries. The classification process to be included in this class has four parts: a medical exam, observation during training, observation during competition and then being classified into this class.
T46 and F46 are disability sport classification for disability athletics. People in this class have a single below or above the elbow amputation. The amputee sports equivalent class is ISOD the A6 and A8 classes. People in this class can have injuries as a result of over use of their remaining upper limb. The classification process to be included in this class has four parts: a medical exam, observation during training, observation during competition and then being classified into this class.
T52 is disability sport classification for disability athletics. People in this class have good shoulder and upper body control, but lack fine motor skills in their arms and hands. They have no or limited trunk and leg function. The class includes people with a number of different types of disabilities including spinal cord injuries. Similar classifications are T51, T53 and T54.
T53 is disability sport classification for disability athletics. The class includes people with a number of different types of disabilities including spinal cord injuries. People in this class have full use of their arms but have no or limited trunk function. Similar classifications are T51, T52, and T54. People in this class have a functional upper limbs, but limited trunk usage and limited lower limb functionality. During classification, they both undergo a bench test of muscle strength and demonstrate their skills in athletics. People in this class include Tanni Grey-Thompson (GBR), Samantha Kinghorn (GBR), Angie Ballard (AUS) and Richard Colman (AUS).
Para-athletics classification is a system to determine which athletes with disabilities may compete against each other in para-athletics events. Classification is intended to group together athletes with similar levels of physical ability to allow fair competition. Classification was created and is managed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which is regularly published via its IPC Athletics Classification Handbook. People with physical, vision and intellectual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport at the Summer Paralympics. The classification for this sport was created during the 1940s and for much of its early history was a medical condition based classification system. The classification system has subsequently become a functional mobility based one, and is moving towards an evidence-based classification system.
Claire Keefer is a short stature athlete from Australia. She represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in athletics where she won a bronze medal. She has won a silver and bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championships.
T47 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics primarily for competitors with a below elbow or wrist amputation or impairment. T47 is a classification for track events, but unlike the other T40 to T46 classifications, it has no equivalent F47 classification for field events. The amputee sports equivalent class is ISOD the A8 class. People in this class can have injuries due to overuse of their remaining upper limb.
F57 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics for people who compete in field events from a seated position. This class is for people with limb deficiencies not covered by other classes. It includes people who are members of the ISOD A1 and A9 classes. Events open to people in this class include the shot put, discus and javelin.
F56 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics for people who compete in field events from a seated position. The seating field event class used to be known as lower 4, upper 5. Different disability groups compete in this class, including people with amputations and spinal cord injuries. Events that may be on the program for F56 competitors include the discus throw, shot put and javelin.
F55 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics for people who compete in field events from a seated position. Sportspeople in this class have full arm function, partial trunk function and no lower limb function. Different disability groups compete in this class, including people with spinal cord injuries. The classification was previously known as lower 3, upper 4.
F54 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics for people who compete in field events from a seated position. Different disability groups compete in this class, including people with spinal cord injuries. Events that may be on the program for F54 competitors include the discus throw, shot put and javelin.
Ahmed Naas is a Paralympian athlete from Iraq competing in the F40 classification javelin throw. He won a silver medal in the javelin at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
Niamh McCarthy is an Irish Paralympic discus thrower, competing in the F41 classification, a classification for persons of reduced stature. She is the 2018 European champion in the event at her classification and, as of August 2018, the European record holder at 31.76 metres.
Lauritta Onye is a Paralympian athlete who competes in F40 classification throwing events. She competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro winning gold in the F40 shot put. Onye is also an actress, performing under the name Laury White.
Kovan Abdulraheem is an Iraqi Paralympic athlete of short stature and he competes in F41-classification throwing events. He won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw F41 event at the 2016 Summer Paralympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Fathia Amaimia is a Tunisian Paralympic athlete of short stature. She competes in F41-classification throwing events. She represented Tunisia at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and she won the bronze medal in the women's discus throw F41 event. She also competed in the women's shot put F41 event where she finished in 6th place.
