T40 (classification)

T40 is disability sport classification for disability athletics.

History

The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee and has roots in a 2003 attempt to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation."

Sport

This classification is for disability athletics. Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the athletes in this classification as: "Dwarf class - achondroplasia or similar J18 years old max height: 145cm (male) 140cm (female)." The Australian Paralympic Committee defines this classification as being for athletes who have the "People with dwarfism due to achondroplasia or a variant of this."

An International Paralympic Committee Athletics Classification Project report, not yet implemented, proposed splitting the current T40 classification, with more restrictive T40 eligibility criteria (for shorter or more disproportionate athletes) and a new T41 classification (for athletes at the minimum disability end of the current class). This proposal would see the maximum height of T40 athletes <130cm (male) and <125cm (female).

Becoming classified

Short-statured athletes seeking to compete in this class first need to have a classification evaluation. During this, they undergo a medical examination where their height and limbs are measured, and are asked to demonstrate skills in athletics such as running and throwing. A determination is then made as to what an classification an athlete should compete in.

Competitors

Australian athletics competitors in this class include Nathan Nass, Candice Schmidt and Kate Wilson.

See also

• Para-athletics classification
• Athletics at the Summer Paralympics