Track & Field

Athletics events are open to athletes in all disability classes and have been a part of the Paralympic program since the first Paralympic Games in Rome, Italy, in 1960.  Events include track, throwing, jumping, pentathlon and the marathon.

The rules of Paralympic track and field are almost identical to those of its non-disabled counterpart.  Certain allowances are made to accommodate certain disabilities.  For example, the blind and more severely visually impaired runners compete with guide runners, who are often attached by the wrist with a tether to the runner. 

Paralympic track and field competition is open to male and female athletes with physical disabilities such as dwarfism, amputation/limb loss, blindness/visual impairment, spinal cord injury/wheelchair-users and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.

On the right side of this page, you will find links to PDF files that give an overview of the classification groups and qualifying standards for each disability group eligible to compete in track & field events. 

E-mail your questions about track & field.  Find a local program in your community - visit the Paralympic Activity Network.

High School Track & Field Opportunities for Athletes with Physical Disabilities
Eleven states now have inclusion rules which will allow athletes with a physically disability to participate and score points for their team at High School Regional and State Finals/Championships.  Scoring events are offered for certain track events and field events.

Alabama
Georgia
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oregon
Washington
Wisconsin

For more information, please contact the individual state's high school sports association.