Athletics
What is para-athletics?
Para-athletics offers athletes with a disability a fantastic way to be involved in sport. South Australia and Australia offer athletes with a variety of disabilities the opportunity to be involved in a multi class competition, where athletes compete against their peers and their results are compared to and given a percentage of the world record for their classification. In these multiclass events it is possible for an athlete to cross the finish line in last place, or throw or jump a shorter distance than their peers and still finish in first due to their individual verified classification. Competing in this fashion allows athletes to be able to compete against other athletes at a high level in a larger field than they would if they were only competing against others with their classification.
In Australia athletes with a vision impairment are able to compete in all athletics events, track, field and jumps.
Classification information
To be able to compete in official multiclass athletics tournaments athletes must have a B1, B2, or B3 classification.
In South Australia it is possible to get a classification by booking time with the Royal Society for the Blind or Health2Go at Flinders University.
Below are the classifications set out by the International Blind Sports Association.
B1/T11/F11 Classification
Visual acuity poorer than LogMAR 2.60 which is equivalent to poorer than 6/600 (no functional vision for sport)
B2/T12/F12 Classification
Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) or 6/160 to 6/600 (inclusive)
B3/T13/F13 Classification
Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.0 to 1.40 (inclusive) or 6/60 to 6/160 (inclusive) OR visual fields less than 10 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5 or 6/19 (B4)
Athletics at SASSVI
Every year SASSVI is heavily involved in the multiclass athletics events held in South Australia. However, like most schools in South Australia it all starts with our school sports day, where students have the opportunity to partake in all the mainstream athletics events. Each student's best result is compared to the world record in their classification and they are given a percentage like they would at any multiclass athletics event. Whilst the aim of the SASSVI sports day is to encourage enjoyment and fun in sport we also use the event to select the SASSVI athletics team for the South Australian School Sports Multiclass Championships held at the world class Athletics SA Stadium.
SASSVI has produced many successful athletes, including national champions and multiple Australian record holders.
How can I be involved?
Athletics is a fantastic way for athletes with a vision impairment to get involved in sport.
SA School and Services for Vision Impaired
If you would like more information on the athletics program at SASSVI or in South Australia please contact:
Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School and Services for Vision Impaired)
Phone Number: +61882775255
Athletics South Australia
If you would like more information on athletics in South Australia please contact:
Jessica Pascoe (Development Officer)
Phone Number: +61883543477
Email: pathways@athleticssa.com.au
Visit: www.athleticssa.com.au
Blind Sports SA
If you would like more information on opportunities in Blind Sports in South Australia please contact:
Kent Dredge (Sports Development Officer)
Email: kent.dredge@blindsportssa.org.au
Visit: blindsportssa.org.au