Classification Rules For Ifsc Paraclimbing

CLASSIFICATION RULES FOR IFSC PARACLIMBING
Version 1.2
07/06/2021

TABLE OF CONTENT Part One: General Provisions................................................................................................................... 4
1. Scope and Application........................................................................................................................................... 4 Adoption................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Classification ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Application ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 International Classification ................................................................................................................................ 4 Interpretation and Relationship to Code .............................................................................................................. 4
2. Roles and Responsibilities ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Athlete Responsibilities......................................................................................................................................... 5 Athlete Support Personnel Responsibilities.......................................................................................................... 5 Classification Personnel Responsibilities .............................................................................................................. 5
Part Two: Classification Personnel...........................................................................................................6 3. Classification Personnel ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Head of Classification ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Classifiers............................................................................................................................................................... 6 Chief Classifiers ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Trainee Classifiers ................................................................................................................................................. 6 4. Classifier Competencies, Training and Certification ............................................................................................. 7 5. Classifier Code of Conduct .................................................................................................................................... 7
Part Three: Athlete Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 8 6. General Provisions ................................................................................................................................................ 8 7. Eligible Impairment ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Assessment of Eligible Impairment....................................................................................................................... 8 8. Minimum Impairment Criteria ............................................................................................................................ 10 9. Sport Class ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 10. Classification Not Completed ......................................................................................................................... 11
Part Four: Athlete Evaluation and the Classification Panel ..................................................................... 12 11. The Classification Panel .................................................................................................................................. 12 General Provisions .............................................................................................................................................. 12 12. Classification Panel Responsibilities ............................................................................................................... 12 13. Evaluation Sessions.........................................................................................................................................12 14. Observation in Competition ........................................................................................................................... 13 15. Sport Class Status ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Page 1 IFSC Classification Rules

Sport Class Status Confirmed .............................................................................................................................. 15 Sport Class Status Review ................................................................................................................................... 15 Sport Class Status Review with Fixed Review Date ............................................................................................15 Changes to Sport Class Criteria ........................................................................................................................... 15 16. Multiple Sport Classes .................................................................................................................................... 16 Multiple Eligible Impairments ............................................................................................................................. 16 Athletes with Physical Impairment ..................................................................................................................... 16 Changing Sport Class ........................................................................................................................................... 16 17. Notification ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 Part Five: Sport Class Not Eligible .......................................................................................................... 18 18. Sport Class Not Eligible ................................................................................................................................... 18 General Provisions .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Absence of Eligible Impairment .......................................................................................................................... 18 Absence of Compliance with Minimum Impairment Criteria ............................................................................. 18 Part Six: Protests................................................................................................................................... 20 19. Scope of a Protest...........................................................................................................................................20 20. Parties Permitted to Make a Protest..............................................................................................................20 21. National Protests ............................................................................................................................................ 20 22. National Protest Procedure ............................................................................................................................ 20 23. IFSC Protests ................................................................................................................................................... 21 24. IFSC Protest Procedure ................................................................................................................................... 21 25. Protest Panel .................................................................................................................................................. 21 26. Provisions Where No Protest Panel is Available ............................................................................................22 27. Special Provisions ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Application during Major Competitions ............................................................................................................. 22 28. Ad Hoc Provisions Relating to Protests .......................................................................................................... 22 Part Seven: Misconduct during Evaluation Session ................................................................................ 23 29. Failure to Attend Evaluation Session..............................................................................................................23 30. Suspension of Evaluation Session...................................................................................................................23 Part Eight: Medical Review.................................................................................................................... 25 31. Medical Review............................................................................................................................................... 25 Part Nine: Intentional Misrepresentation .............................................................................................. 26 32. Intentional Misrepresentation ....................................................................................................................... 26 Part Ten: Use of Athlete Information..................................................................................................... 27
Page 2 IFSC Classification Rules

33. Classification Data .......................................................................................................................................... 27 34. Consent and Processing..................................................................................................................................27 35. Classification Research ................................................................................................................................... 27 36. Notification to Athletes .................................................................................................................................. 27 37. Classification Data Security ............................................................................................................................ 27 38. Disclosures of Classification Data ................................................................................................................... 28 39. Retaining Classification Data .......................................................................................................................... 28 40. Access Rights to Classification Data ............................................................................................................... 28 41. Classification Database ................................................................................................................................... 28 Part Eleven: Appeals of Classification .................................................................................................... 29 42. Appeal of Classification ..................................................................................................................................29 43. Parties Permitted to Make an Appeal ............................................................................................................ 29 44. Appeals ........................................................................................................................................................... 29 45. Ad Hoc Provisions Relating to Appeals ........................................................................................................... 29 Part Twelve: Glossary............................................................................................................................ 30 Appendix One – Athletes with Physical Impairment............................................................................... 34 Appendix Two - Athletes with Vision Impairment .................................................................................. 46 Appendix Three - Observation in Competition procedure ...................................................................... 48 Appendix Four - Non-Eligible Impairment Types .................................................................................... 49
Page 3 IFSC Classification Rules

Part One: General Provisions

1. Scope and Application

Adoption 1.1. These Classification Rules and Regulations are referred to throughout this document as the ‘Classification Rules’. They
have been prepared by the IFSC to implement the requirements of the 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code and International Standards. 1.2. These Classification Rules refer to a number of Appendixes. These Appendixes form an integral part of the Classification Rules. 1.3. These Classification Rules form part of the IFSC Rules and Regulations. 1.4. The Classification Rules are supplemented by a number of Classification forms that have been prepared to assist Athlete Evaluation. These forms are available on the IFSC website, and can be amended by the IFSC from time to time.

Classification 1.5. Classification is undertaken to:

a.

Define who is eligible to compete in Paraclimbing competitions; and

b.

Group Athletes into Sport Classes which aim to ensure that the impact of Impairment is minimised and

sporting excellence determines which Athlete or team is ultimately victorious.

Application 1.6. These Classification Rules apply to all Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel who hold a license with the IFSC, and/or
participate in any Events or Competitions organised, authorised or recognised by the IFSC. 1.7. These Classification Rules must be read and applied in conjunction with IFSC Rules and all other applicable rules of the
IFSC. In the event of any conflict between these Classification Rules and any other rules, the Classification Rules shall take precedence.

International Classification 1.8. The IFSC will only permit an Athlete to compete in an International Competition if that Athlete has been allocated a
Sport Class (other than Sport Class Not Eligible or Classification Not Completed) and designated with a Sport Class Status in accordance with these Classification Rules. 1.9. The IFSC will provide opportunities for Athletes to be allocated a Sport Class and designated with a Sport Class Status in accordance with these Classification Rules at Recognised Competitions (or other such locations as defined by the IFSC).

Interpretation and Relationship to Code 1.10. References to an ‘Article’ mean an Article of these Classification Rules, references to an ‘Appendix’ mean an Appendix
to these Classification Rules, and Capitalised terms used in these Classification Rules have the meaning given to them in the Glossary to these Classification Rules. 1.11. References to a ‘sport’ in these Classification Rules refer to both a sport and an individual discipline with in Paraclimbing.

Page 4 IFSC Classification Rules

1.12. The Appendixes to these Classification Rules are part of these Classification Rules both of which may be amended, supplemented and/or replaced by the IFSC from time to time.
1.13. Headings used in these Classification Rules are used for convenience only and have no meaning that is separate from the Article or Articles to which they refer.

2. Roles and Responsibilities
2.1. It is the personal responsibility of Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel, and Classification Personnel to familiarise themselves with all the requirements of these Classification Rules.

Athlete Responsibilities 2.2. The roles and responsibilities of Athletes include to:

a.

Be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable policies, rules and processes established by these

Classification Rules;

b.

Participate in Athlete Evaluation in good faith;

c.

Ensure when appropriate that adequate information related to Health Conditions and Eligible Impairments

is provided and/or made available to the IFSC;

d.

Cooperate with any investigations concerning violations of these Classification Rules; and

e.

Actively participate in the process of education and awareness, and Classification research, through

exchanging personal experiences and expertise.

Athlete Support Personnel Responsibilities 2.3. The roles and responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel include to:

a.

Be knowledgeable of and comply with all applicable policies, rules and processes established by these

Classification Rules;

b.

Use their influence on Athlete values and behaviour to foster a positive and collaborative Classification

attitude and communication;

c.

Assist in the development, management and implementation of Classification Systems; and

d.

Cooperate with any investigations concerning violations of these Classification Rules.

Classification Personnel Responsibilities 2.4. The roles and responsibilities of Classification Personnel include to:

a.

Have a complete working knowledge of all applicable policies, rules and processes established by these

Classification Rules;

b.

Use their influence to foster a positive and collaborative Classification attitude and communication;

c.

assist in the development, management and implementation of Classification Systems, including

participation in education and research; and

d.

Cooperate with any investigations concerning violations of these Classification Rules.

Page 5 IFSC Classification Rules

Part Two: Classification Personnel

3. Classification Personnel
3.1. Classification Personnel are fundamental to the effective implementation of these Classification Rules. The IFSC will appoint a number of Classification Personnel, each of whom will have a key role in the organisation, implementation and administration of Classification for the IFSC.

Head of Classification 3.2. The IFSC must appoint a Head of Classification. The Head of Classification is a person responsible for the direction,
administration, co-ordination and implementation of Classification matters for the IFSC. 3.3. If a Head of Classification cannot be appointed, the IFSC may appoint another person, or group of persons collectively
(provided such person or group of persons agrees to comply with the Classifier Code of Conduct), to act as the Head of Classification. 3.4. The Head of Classification is not required to be a certified Classifier. 3.5. The Head of Classification may delegate specific responsibilities and/or the transfer specific tasks to designated Classifiers, or other persons authorised by the IFSC. 3.6. Nothing in these Classification Rules prevents the Head of Classification (if certified as a Classifier) from also being appointed as a Classifier and/or Chief Classifier.

Classifiers 3.7. A Classifier is a person authorised as an official and certified by the IFSC to conduct some or all components of Athlete
Evaluation as a member of a Classification Panel.

Chief Classifiers 3.8. A Chief Classifier is a Classifier appointed to direct, administer, co-ordinate and implement Classification matters for a

specific Competition or at such other location as defined by the IFSC. In particular, a Chief Classifier may be required by

the IFSC to do the following:

a.

identify those Athletes who will be required to attend an Evaluation Session;

b.

supervise Classifiers to ensure that the Classification Rules are properly applied during Classification;

c.

manage Protests in consultation with the IFSC.

3.9. A Chief Classifier may delegate specific responsibilities and/or transfer specific tasks to other appropriately qualified

Classifiers, or other appropriately qualified the IFSC officers or representatives, and/or appropriately qualified persons

in the local organising committee of a Competition.

Trainee Classifiers 3.10. A Trainee Classifier is a person who is in the process of formal training by the IFSC.
3.11. The IFSC may appoint Trainee Classifiers to participate in some or all components of Athlete Evaluation under the
supervision of a Classification Panel, to develop Classifier Competencies.

Page 6 IFSC Classification Rules

4. Classifier Competencies, Training and Certification

4.1. A Classifier will be authorised to act as a Classifier if that Classifier has been appointed by the IFSC.

4.2. All classifiers are obliged to work on the development and improvement of the classification process and rules.

4.3. The IFSC must specify and publish Classifier Competencies in a manner that is transparent and accessible. The Classifier

Competencies must include that a Classifier has:

a.

A thorough understanding of these Classification Rules;

b.

An understanding of Sport Climbing, including an understanding of the IFSC Rules;

c.

An understanding of the Code and the International Standards; and

d.

A professional qualification(s), level of experience, skills and/or competencies in order to act as a Classifier

for the IFSC. These include that Classifiers must either:

i

Be a certified health professional in a field relevant to the Eligible Impairment category which the

IFSC at its sole discretion deems acceptable, such as a physician or physiotherapist for Athletes

with a Physical Impairment; ophthalmologist or optometrist for Athletes with a Vision Impairment;

or

ii

Have an extensive coaching or other relevant background in the particular sport(s); or a recognised

and reputable academic qualification which encompasses a requisite level of anatomical,

biomechanical and sport- specific expertise, which the IFSC at its sole discretion deems to be

acceptable.

4.4. The IFSC may decide to exclude Classifiers if appropriate.

5. Classifier Code of Conduct PENDING

Page 7 IFSC Classification Rules

Part Three: Athlete Evaluation

6. General Provisions

6.1. The IFSC has specified in these Classification Rules the process, assessment criteria and methodology whereby Athletes

will be allocated a Sport Class and designated a Sport Class Status. This process is referred to as Athlete Evaluation.

6.2. Athlete Evaluation encompasses a number of steps and these Classification Rules therefore include provisions

regarding:

a.

An assessment of whether or not an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment for the sport;

b.

An assessment of whether an Athlete complies with Minimum Impairment Criteria for the sport; and

c.

The allocation of a Sport Class (and designation of a Sport Class Status) depending on the extent to which

an Athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport (with the exception

for athletes with Vision Impairment, where the current assessment criteria is not yet sport specific and does

not include a requirement that the Athletes are assessed in respect of the ‘extent to which the Athlete is

able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport’)

7. Eligible Impairment
7.1. Any Athlete wishing to compete in a sport governed by the IFSC must have an Eligible Impairment and that Eligible Impairment must be Permanent.
7.2. Appendixes One and Two of these Classification Rules specify the Eligible Impairment(s) an Athlete must have in order to compete in a sport governed by the IFSC.
7.3. Any Impairment that is not listed as an Eligible Impairment in Appendixes One and Two is referred to as a Non-Eligible Impairment. Appendix Four includes examples of Non-Eligible Impairments.

Assessment of Eligible Impairment 7.4. The IFSC must determine if an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment.

a.

In order to be satisfied that an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment, the IFSC may require any Athlete to

demonstrate that he or she has an Underlying Health Condition. Appendix Four lists examples of Health

Conditions that are not Underlying Health Conditions.

b.

The means by which the IFSC determines that an individual Athlete has an Eligible Impairment is at the sole

discretion of the IFSC. The IFSC may consider that an Athlete’s Eligible Impairment is sufficiently obvious

and therefore not require evidence that demonstrates the Athlete’s Eligible Impairment.

c.

If in the course of determining if an Athlete has an Eligible Impairment the IFSC becomes aware that the

Athlete has a Health Condition, and believes that the impact of that Health Condition may be that it is unsafe

for that Athlete to compete or there is a risk to the health of the Athlete (or other Athletes) if that Athlete

competes, it may designate the Athlete as Classification Not Completed (CNC) in accordance with Article 10

of these Classification Rules. In such instances the IFSC will explain the basis of its designation to the relevant

Member Federation and/or National Paralympic Committee.

Page 8 IFSC Classification Rules

7.5. An Athlete must (if requested to do so) supply the IFSC with Diagnostic Information that must be provided as follows:

a.

The relevant Member Federation and/or National Paralympic Committee must submit a Medical

Diagnostics Form to the IFSC, upon completing the registration of an Athlete.

b.

The Medical Diagnostics Form must be completed in English and dated and signed by a certified healthcare

professional.

c.

The Medical Diagnostic Form must be submitted with supportive Diagnostic Information if required by the

IFSC .

7.6. The IFSC may require an Athlete to re-submit the Medical Diagnostics Form (with necessary supportive Diagnostic

Information) if the IFSC at its sole discretion considers the Medical Diagnostic Form and/or the Diagnostic Information

to be incomplete or inconsistent.

7.7. If the IFSC requires an Athlete to provide Diagnostic Information it may consider the Diagnostic Information itself,

and/or may appoint an Eligibility Assessment Committee to do so.

7.8. The process by which an Eligibility Assessment Committee is formed and considers Diagnostic Information is as follows:

a.

The Head of Classification will notify the relevant Member Federation or National Paralympic Committee

that Diagnostic Information must be provided on behalf of the Athlete. The Head of Classification will

explain what Diagnostic Information is required, and the purposes for which it is required.

b.

The Head of Classification will set timelines for the production of Diagnostic Information.

c.

The Head of Classification will appoint an Eligibility Assessment Committee. The Eligibility Assessment

Committee must, if practicable, be comprised of the Head of Classification and at least two other experts

with appropriate medical qualifications. All members of the Eligibility Assessment Committee must sign

confidentiality undertakings.

d.

If the Head of Classification believes that he or she does not hold the necessary competencies to assess the

Diagnostic Information, he or she will not participate in the review of the Diagnostic Information, but will

assist the Eligibility Assessment Committee.

e.

Wherever possible all references to the individual Athlete and the source(s) of the Diagnostic Information

should be withheld from the Eligibility Assessment Committee. Each member of the Eligibility Assessment

Committee will review the Diagnostic Information and decide whether such information establishes the

existence of an Eligible Impairment.

f.

If the Eligibility Assessment Committee concludes that the Athlete has an Eligible Impairment the Athlete

will be permitted to complete Athlete Evaluation with a Classification Panel.

g.

If the Eligibility Assessment Committee is not satisfied that the Athlete has an Eligible Impairment the Head

of Classification will provide a decision to this effect in writing to the relevant Member Federation or

National Paralympic Committee. The Member Federation or National Paralympic Committee will be given

an opportunity to comment on the decision and may provide further Diagnostic Information to the Eligibility

Assessment Committee for review. If the decision is subsequently revised, the Head of Classification will

inform the Member Federation or National Paralympic Committee.

Page 9 IFSC Classification Rules