Classifications
Paralympic athletes have an impairment in body structures and functions that lead to a competitive disadvantage in sport. Consequently, criteria is put in place to ensure that winning is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for athletes who are able-bodied. Classification is the process by which athletes are assessed to determine the impact their impairment has on their ability to compete in a specific sport.
In cycling, there are four impairment groups: Handcycle, Tricycle, Cycling, Tandem. Each group has a Classification Scale (#1-5), 1 is most impaired, 5 is least impaired
- Handcycle (H1-5): For athletes using an arm/ arm trunk power handcycle in either the recumbent or kneeling/sitting position.
- Tricycle (T1-2): For athletes who are unable to bicycle due to a lack of balance and/or severe restriction with pedaling due to coordination impairment.
- Cycling (C1-5): For athletes with impaired range of movement or coordination impairments that ride standard two wheeled bicycles
- Tandem (B1-3) - For athletes with a vision impairment. Often referred to as the Stoker and Pilot.
- Stoker: Visually Impaired athlete
- Pilot: Able-bodied partner
- Limb Deficiency and/or Leg Length Difference
- Athletes with Limb Deficiency have total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia).
- Athletes with Leg Length Difference have a difference in the length of their legs as a result of a disturbance of limb growth, or as a result of trauma.
- Impaired Muscle Power
- Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a health condition that either reduces or eliminates their ability to voluntarily contract their muscles in order to move or to generate force.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Impaired Muscle Power include spinal cord injury (complete or incomplete, tetra- or paraplegia or paraparesis), muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome and spina bifida.
- Impaired Passive Range of Motion
- Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Impaired Passive Range of Movement include throgryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
- Coordination Impairment (Hypertonia/Ataxia/Athetosis)
- Athletes with Hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Hypertonia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
- Athletes with Ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Ataxia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
- Athletes with Athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Athetosis include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
- Visual Impairment
- Athletes with Vision Impairment have reduced or no vision caused by damage to the eye structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or visual cortex of the brain.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Vision Impairment include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.
The Paralympic sport of cycling is overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and USA Cycling.
IPC Athlete Classification Code
USOPC National Classification Resources
All athletes who wish to compete in the Paralympic divisions at events must undergo a national classification evaluation to determine their sport class. The steps to obtaining a national classification are outlined below.
Submit the national medical diagnostics form to USA Cycling. The form should clearly define which of the eligible impairment(s) the athlete has and supporting documentation should be provided to verify the underlying health condition or origin of the impairment(s). The national medical diagnosis form must be submitted prior to attending a classification evaluation.
Register for an event that has a national classification panel
Attend a classification evaluation. Classification takes place one or two days prior to competition and participation in the competition is required to complete classification. The evaluation process consists of:
Physical Assessment - a series of functional ability tests performed by a Medical Classifier
Technical Assessment - a series of practical ability tests observed by a Technical Classifier
Provisional Sport Class Allocated - Based on the results of both of the above tests, athletes are allocated a provisional sport class
Observation in Competition - This will confirm or alter the provisional sport class allocation
Athletes with visual impairments may obtain a national classification at any time during the year, and do not need to attend an event as part of the classification process. To obtain a National VI Classification, athletes must have the visual impairment medical diagnosis form completed by their ophthalmologist and return to USA Cycling along with supporting documentation related to the diagnosed eye condition as outlined on the medical diagnosis form at least four weeks prior to a competition they intend to compete at.
Once the forms are received by USA Cycling, they are reviewed by a VI classifier, and the outcome will be communicated by USA Cycling to the athlete. VI classification may require visual field testing, additional tests or information to complete classification which may delay the outcome. VI athletes must complete this process and be listed in the Classification Database to compete in events.
Athletes must hold a current UCI License and have the appropriate medical documentation to request international classification. The appropriate Visual Impairment or Physical Impairment Medical Diagnostics Form must be submitted six weeks prior to the date of the International Classification - failure to follow this procedure could result in cancellation of the classification appointment. Each form outlines the specific tests, x-rays, MRIs, etc. required for various impairments that should be provided as supporting documentation. The Medical Diagnostics Form and the supplemental documents must be completed by the athlete’s physician or ophthalmologist. If you have questions regarding the Medical Diagnosis Form, please contact USA Cycling here.
Please note that international classification slots are limited and allocated by the UCI. There may be more athletes who request international classification than slots available; in these cases slots will be awarded based on athlete performance marks compared to the national team standards. Athletes who meet the criteria and wish to request an international classification slot should contact USA Cycling. International classification appointments must be requested at least six weeks prior to the date of the classification.
The Talent ID Camp will run from September 28 – October 3 at the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Designed to identify and develop the next generation of paracycling talent, this camp is an opportunity for aspiring athletes to learn, train, and grow in a world-class environment. The camp will be led by USA Cycling’s paracycling coaches, mechanics, and staff, with all lodging and meals provided.
Athletes interested in participating should submit their application by Sunday, August 24 at 10:00 PM MT. Please review the Paralympic Cycling eligible impairment groups, here.
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
The U.S. Paralympics Cycling National Database includes all athletes whose classification information is on file with either the IPC, UCI and/or U.S. Paralympics. Athletes who have been nationally or internationally classified as per the Code and/or the U.S. Paralympics Classification Policies and Procedures are included.
Paralympic athletes have an impairment in body structures and functions that lead to a competitive disadvantage in sport. Consequently, criteria is put in place to ensure that winning is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for athletes who are able-bodied. Classification is the process by which athletes are assessed to determine the impact their impairment has on their ability to compete in a specific sport.
In cycling, there are four impairment groups: Handcycle, Tricycle, Cycling, Tandem. Each group has a Classification Scale (#1-5), 1 is most impaired, 5 is least impaired
- Handcycle (H1-5): For athletes using an arm/ arm trunk power handcycle in either the recumbent or kneeling/sitting position.
- Tricycle (T1-2): For athletes who are unable to bicycle due to a lack of balance and/or severe restriction with pedaling due to coordination impairment.
- Cycling (C1-5): For athletes with impaired range of movement or coordination impairments that ride standard two wheeled bicycles
- Tandem (B1-3) - For athletes with a vision impairment. Often referred to as the Stoker and Pilot.
- Stoker: Visually Impaired athlete
- Pilot: Able-bodied partner
- Limb Deficiency and/or Leg Length Difference
- Athletes with Limb Deficiency have total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia).
- Athletes with Leg Length Difference have a difference in the length of their legs as a result of a disturbance of limb growth, or as a result of trauma.
- Impaired Muscle Power
- Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a health condition that either reduces or eliminates their ability to voluntarily contract their muscles in order to move or to generate force.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Impaired Muscle Power include spinal cord injury (complete or incomplete, tetra- or paraplegia or paraparesis), muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome and spina bifida.
- Impaired Passive Range of Motion
- Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Impaired Passive Range of Movement include throgryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
- Coordination Impairment (Hypertonia/Ataxia/Athetosis)
- Athletes with Hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Hypertonia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
- Athletes with Ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Ataxia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
- Athletes with Athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Athetosis include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
- Visual Impairment
- Athletes with Vision Impairment have reduced or no vision caused by damage to the eye structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or visual cortex of the brain.
- Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Vision Impairment include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.
The Paralympic sport of cycling is overseen by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and USA Cycling.
IPC Athlete Classification Code
USOPC National Classification Resources
All athletes who wish to compete in the Paralympic divisions at events must undergo a national classification evaluation to determine their sport class. The steps to obtaining a national classification are outlined below.
Submit the national medical diagnostics form to USA Cycling. The form should clearly define which of the eligible impairment(s) the athlete has and supporting documentation should be provided to verify the underlying health condition or origin of the impairment(s). The national medical diagnosis form must be submitted prior to attending a classification evaluation.
Register for an event that has a national classification panel
Attend a classification evaluation. Classification takes place one or two days prior to competition and participation in the competition is required to complete classification. The evaluation process consists of:
Physical Assessment - a series of functional ability tests performed by a Medical Classifier
Technical Assessment - a series of practical ability tests observed by a Technical Classifier
Provisional Sport Class Allocated - Based on the results of both of the above tests, athletes are allocated a provisional sport class
Observation in Competition - This will confirm or alter the provisional sport class allocation
Athletes with visual impairments may obtain a national classification at any time during the year, and do not need to attend an event as part of the classification process. To obtain a National VI Classification, athletes must have the visual impairment medical diagnosis form completed by their ophthalmologist and return to USA Cycling along with supporting documentation related to the diagnosed eye condition as outlined on the medical diagnosis form at least four weeks prior to a competition they intend to compete at.
Once the forms are received by USA Cycling, they are reviewed by a VI classifier, and the outcome will be communicated by USA Cycling to the athlete. VI classification may require visual field testing, additional tests or information to complete classification which may delay the outcome. VI athletes must complete this process and be listed in the Classification Database to compete in events.
Athletes must hold a current UCI License and have the appropriate medical documentation to request international classification. The appropriate Visual Impairment or Physical Impairment Medical Diagnostics Form must be submitted six weeks prior to the date of the International Classification - failure to follow this procedure could result in cancellation of the classification appointment. Each form outlines the specific tests, x-rays, MRIs, etc. required for various impairments that should be provided as supporting documentation. The Medical Diagnostics Form and the supplemental documents must be completed by the athlete’s physician or ophthalmologist. If you have questions regarding the Medical Diagnosis Form, please contact USA Cycling here.
Please note that international classification slots are limited and allocated by the UCI. There may be more athletes who request international classification than slots available; in these cases slots will be awarded based on athlete performance marks compared to the national team standards. Athletes who meet the criteria and wish to request an international classification slot should contact USA Cycling. International classification appointments must be requested at least six weeks prior to the date of the classification.
The Talent ID Camp will run from September 28 – October 3 at the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Designed to identify and develop the next generation of paracycling talent, this camp is an opportunity for aspiring athletes to learn, train, and grow in a world-class environment. The camp will be led by USA Cycling’s paracycling coaches, mechanics, and staff, with all lodging and meals provided.
Athletes interested in participating should submit their application by Sunday, August 24 at 10:00 PM MT. Please review the Paralympic Cycling eligible impairment groups, here.
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
The U.S. Paralympics Cycling National Database includes all athletes whose classification information is on file with either the IPC, UCI and/or U.S. Paralympics. Athletes who have been nationally or internationally classified as per the Code and/or the U.S. Paralympics Classification Policies and Procedures are included.