Triathlon

Eligible Impairments: athetosis, ataxia, hypertonia, impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, limb deficiency, vision impairment.

Description: triathlon is for athletes with physical impairment of the upper and/or lower limbs, and for athletes with vision impairment. Athletes with all eligible physical impairment types compete against each other. There are nine Sport Classes, six for athletes with physical impairment and 3 for vision impairment. All Sport Classes begin with “PT” to denote paratriathlon with additional letters indicating the specific discipline. 

Sport Class structure: 

• PTWC1-2: for athletes with greater levels of physical impairment of the lower limbs, which may be accompanied by upper limb impairment. Athletes perform the cycle leg in a handcycle and the run leg in a racing wheelchair. Athletes in the WC1 class have a greater level of impairment than those in WC2. There is a staggered start to account for the different levels of impairment between WC1 and WC2.
• PTS2-5: for athletes with physical impairment of the upper and/or lower limbs who compete “standing”. The cycle leg is performed on a standard bicycle and the final leg is run. Athletes in S2 have the greatest level of impairment, and S5 the lowest level. Races for athletes in these Sport Classes and not usually combined.
• PTVI1-3: for athletes with vision impairment. Athletes in VI1 have the greatest level of impairment and VI3 the lowest level. Athletes complete the whole triathlon with a guide. They must be tethered during the swim and run and use a tandem for the bike leg. There is a staggered start to account for the different levels of impairment between Sport Classes.