The classification system for Paralympians competing in athletics is changing and a University of Queensland exercise scientist Sean Tweedy is leading the overhaul.
The Chapel Hill scientist with the School of Human Movement Studies, has developed a classification system with a scientific rationale which will replace four systems that were based on an athlete’s diagnosis.
It is hoped the system will be in place for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing and be used for local to international competition.
“The current systems of classification are based on outdated concepts considering the huge variety of people with disabilities who currently wish to compete in track and field,” Mr Tweedy said.
He leads a classification review team of 24 people on five continents, backed by the International Paralympic Committee and a $47,000 grant from the Australian Sports Commission.
He said he believed some of the principles of the new classification system could be applied to some of the other 18 Paralympic sports.
“Classification is obviously an essential part of Paralympic sport but, because it is so important to the results, it can sometimes be quite controversial.
“It’s not always beer and skittles. Particularly in cases where athletes and coaches come to classification with a pre-conception about what class they should be.
“We can’t always deliver the news that they want to hear.”
In September, Mr Tweedy spent three weeks at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games working as a classifier and as chief investigator of the new system.
His job was to watch athletes in competition, help crosscheck the classifications of over 200 new athletes, rule on classification protests and collect data for the new system.
Mr Tweedy has been involved in disability sports since 1984 and is currently a Research Fellow in Physical Activity and Disability Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine.
His next major classifying event is the National Junior Disability Sports Championships in April.
Media: contact Mr Tweedy (phone: 07 3365 6638, email: seant@hms.uq.edu.au) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (phone: 3365 2619, email:
m.holland@uq.edu.au)
