Paratriathlon
The decision was made in China on 11 December 2010 that Paratriathlon will be included for the first time as a full programme sport for the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro.
Over the past 5 years British Triathlon has worked tirelessly to create a sport which could be as inclusive as possible to people with all ranges of disabilities, and this led to the National Paratriathlon Programme.
British Triathlon's development strand is all about developing the best foundations in areas such as clubs, coaching and events, and with this we aim to increase the number of athletes participating in our sport at grass roots level. Our performance strand on the other hand, is purely focussed on creating top level Paratriathletes capable of winning World and European medals, and who in the long run can represent GB at future Paralympic games.
There has never been a better time to access this fast and exciting sport, which is growing rapidly each year, we have opportunities at every level from complete beginner to those competing at international level.
In 2008 British Triathlon launched the British ‘Paratriathlon Development Squad’ which had an aim to develop the countries best performing disabled athletes.
Classification
There are currently six categories for physically challenged athletes to compete in over the sprint paratriathlon distance of 750m swim, 20km bike (handcycle/tandem), 5km run (wheelchair) at the ITU World Triathlon Championships each year:
TRI 1 - Handcycle: Paraplegic, Quadriplegic, Polio, Double Leg Amputee. Must use handcycle on bike course and racing wheelchair on run.
TRI 2 - Severe leg impairment including above knee amputees. Paratriathlete must ride bike and run with above knee prosthesis (or similar prosthesis) or run using crutches.
TRI 3 - Les Autres: This category includes paratriathletes with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, double leg amputee runners or paralysis in multiple limbs. These paratriathletes will ride a bike and run. They may use braces or prosthesis if required.
TRI 4 - Arm impairment including paralysis, above elbow amputees and below elbow amputees, or impairment in both upper limbs. Paratriathletes may use prosthesis, brace or sling on the bike and/or run.
TRI 5 - Moderate leg impairment including below knee amputees. Paratriathlete rides bike and runs with prosthesis.
TRI 6 - Visual Impairment, legally Blind (20/200 vision with best corrective vision). A handler of the same sex is mandatory throughout the race. Paratriathlete is tethered during the swim. Paratriathlete uses a tandem bike and may be tethered during the run.
