What is the first consideration for Paralympic classification?

The first consideration for Paralympic classification is whether the athlete has an eligible impairment for the sport. This is crucial because the classification system in para-sports is designed to ensure fair competition among athletes with different types and degrees of impairments. Each sport has specific classification criteria that outline which impairments are eligible, establishing a framework to group athletes in ways that minimize the impact of the impairment on performance. This focus on impairment ensures that all athletes can compete on an even playing field, making their abilities the primary factor in competition outcomes.

The other factors, such as age requirements, citizenship, or previous competition history, are important aspects of the broader eligibility criteria but do not directly relate to the classification process itself. Therefore, the presence of an eligible impairment is fundamental to determining an athlete's place within the classification categories for fair competition in Paralympic events.