Due to the Paralympics' classification rules, South Africa's double amputee "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius can line up against runners with only one prosthetic leg.
Classifying disability —
Due to the Paralympics' classification rules, South Africa's double amputee "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius can line up against runners with only one prosthetic leg.
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Chinese swimmer Zheng Tao has no arms, but that didn't stop him winning gold against competitors more physically abled.
Defying the odds —
Chinese swimmer Zheng Tao has no arms, but that didn't stop him winning gold against competitors more physically abled.
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Britain's gold medalist Jonathan Fox looked "more able" outside the pool than his swimming rivals, according to former Canadian Paralympic middle-distance runner David Howe, who is now an academic.
Level playing field? —
Britain's gold medalist Jonathan Fox looked "more able" outside the pool than his swimming rivals, according to former Canadian Paralympic middle-distance runner David Howe, who is now an academic.
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Paralympic swimmer Mallory Weggemann, along with U.S. teammate Victoria Arlen, have both battled the International Paralympic Committee after having their classifications changed.
Controversial changes —
Paralympic swimmer Mallory Weggemann, along with U.S. teammate Victoria Arlen, have both battled the International Paralympic Committee after having their classifications changed.
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Athletes are placed in one of six main disability groups: those with spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, amputees, the blind or visually impaired, intellectual disabilities and those whose disabilities fall outside of those categories, like those born with dwarfism or multiple sclerosis.
Breaking it down —
Athletes are placed in one of six main disability groups: those with spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, amputees, the blind or visually impaired, intellectual disabilities and those whose disabilities fall outside of those categories, like those born with dwarfism or multiple sclerosis.
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Each of the Paralympics' 20 sports are divided between the different classifications and given a number that denotes the severity of the disability -- 1 being the most severe, 10 the least.
From 1 to 10 —
Each of the Paralympics' 20 sports are divided between the different classifications and given a number that denotes the severity of the disability -- 1 being the most severe, 10 the least.
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The IPC has complicated things further by trying to slim down the number of medals and disciplines and look beyond the disability as the defining factor in classification. Instead, it says, look to the potential of the athlete.
'Look to the potential' —
The IPC has complicated things further by trying to slim down the number of medals and disciplines and look beyond the disability as the defining factor in classification. Instead, it says, look to the potential of the athlete.
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