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T37 (classification)
T37 (classification)
T37 (classification)
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Lisa McIntosh is a T37 athlete.

T37 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics in track and jump events. It includes people who have coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis. It is the athletics equivalent of the more general CP7 classification.

Definition

[edit]

This classification is for disability athletics in track and jump events.[1] This classification is one of seven classifications for athletes with cerebral palsy. Similar classifications are T32, T33, T34, T35, T36, and T38.[2] The Australian Paralympic Committee defines this classification as being for "Moderate to minimal hemiplegia (i.e. one half of the body affected – arm and leg on same side). Good functional ability in non affected side. Walks / runs without assistive devices, but with a limp."[3] The International Paralympic Committee defined this classification on their website in July 2016 as, "Coordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis)".[4]

Disability groups

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Multiple types of disabilities are eligible to compete in this class. This class includes people who have cerebral palsy, or who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury.[5][6]

Cerebral palsy

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See also: Cerebral palsy sport classification

CP7

[edit]
See also: CP7 (classification)
The spasticity athetosis level and location of a CP7 sportsperson.

Their running form manifests as if they have a limp.[6][7] Their disability manifests itself less when they are running as opposed to walking.[7] CP7 sportspeople are able to walk, but appear to do so while having a limp as one side of their body is more affected than the other.[6][7][8][9] They may have involuntary muscles spasms on one side of their body.[7][9] They have fine motor control on their dominant side of the body, which can present as asymmetry when they are in motion.[9][10] People in this class tend to have energy expenditure similar to people without cerebral palsy.[5]

Rules and performance

[edit]

Athletes in this class are not required to use a starting block. It is up to the individual. They have the option to start from a crouch, from a standing position or 3 point stance.[11] Because of their disability, athletes may make movements that normally would disqualify them as a false start. If an official believes movement could be a result of this, they can restart the entire field without disqualifying any runners.[11]

Events

[edit]

There are a number of track and field events open to this class at various international competitions. Many have their own minimum qualifying times and scores.

gender Event Class AQS/MQS BQS Event
men's 100m T37 11.6 11.79 2016 Summer Paralympics[12]
women's 100m T37 13.83 14.28 2016 Summer Paralympics
men's 400m T37 52.78 54 2016 Summer Paralympics
women's 400m T37 65.75 69.33 2016 Summer Paralympics
men's 1500m T37 04:18.7 04:30.0 2016 Summer Paralympics
men's long jump T37 6.16 5.78 2016 Summer Paralympics
women's long jump T37 4.5 4.08 2016 Summer Paralympics

History

[edit]

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."[13]

Governance

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Classification into this class is handled by the International Paralympic Committee.[4] For national events, classification is handled by the national athletics organization.[14]

Becoming classified

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Athletes with cerebral palsy or similar impairments who wish to compete in para-athletics competition must first undergo a classification assessment. During this, they both undergo a bench test of muscle coordination and demonstrate their skills in athletics, such as running or jumping. A determination is then made as to what classification an athlete should compete in. Classifications may be Confirmed or Review status. For athletes who do not have access to a full classification panel, Provisional classification is available; this is a temporary Review classification, considered an indication of class only, and generally used only in lower levels of competition.[15]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

T37 (classification)

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from Grokipedia
T37 is a disability sport classification in World Para Athletics for athletes with moderate coordination impairments, specifically , , or , that affect their ability to control movement in track and jump events. This class groups competitors who have eligible impairments such as or , ensuring fair competition by matching athletes with similar levels of functional limitation. The counterpart for field throwing events is F37, but T37 specifically applies to running, walking, and jumping disciplines. Athletes in the T37 class must meet minimum impairment criteria, demonstrating that their condition significantly impacts sport performance through reduced coordination, balance, or involuntary movements. , characterized by increased muscle tension and , is assessed via tests like the Modified Ashworth Scale, where catch angles in joints such as the or indicate severity (e.g., Grade 2 spasticity allows 16-30° of hip abduction). involves uncoordinated actions due to damage to the or sensory nerves, evaluated through functional tasks like the heel-shin slide (scoring based on deviations, such as up to three errors for moderate impairment) or nose-finger pointing (measuring amplitude of 2-5 cm). features continuous slow, writhing movements from damage, tested by observing control during and flexion/extension, with scores reflecting limited range and speed. Classification involves a Medical Diagnostic Form submission and evaluation by certified classifiers during physical, technical, and observation assessments at competitions. T37 falls within the broader T35-T38 range for coordination impairments, with T37 representing moderate severity compared to milder () or more severe (T36) cases. Notable T37 events include the 100m, 200m, 400m sprints, , and (as F37), where athletes often exhibit asymmetry in or starting positions due to hemiplegia-like effects. The system, governed by World Para Athletics under the , ensures ongoing review to maintain equity, with protests possible if an athlete's class seems inappropriate.

Overview

Definition

The T37 classification is a standing class in for track (T) and field (F) events, designated for athletes with moderate coordination impairments affecting one side of the body or both legs, often leading to hemiplegic- or diplegic-like symptoms and asymmetry in movement. These impairments typically involve , , or , with the unaffected side(s) showing minimal involvement and generally good functional ability, particularly in running. Such conditions often stem from neurological disorders like or acquired brain injuries, though the classification focuses on functional impact rather than . The primary purpose of the T37 class is to promote fair and equitable competition by grouping athletes who experience similar levels of activity limitation due to these coordination deficits, particularly in events involving running, , and . This ensures that competitors face balanced challenges based on comparable biomechanical asymmetries, such as uneven arm action or trunk control during performance. In distinction to related classes, T37 addresses moderate impairments, whereas T38 accommodates milder coordination issues that may affect one to four limbs with greater overall functional control and less pronounced asymmetry. This separation helps maintain competitive across the of coordination-related disabilities in .

Eligibility Criteria

Athletes classified in the T37 sport class must demonstrate moderate , , or affecting of the body (hemiplegic ) or both legs (moderate diplegic ), with minimal or no functional impact on the unaffected side(s), which retain good ability in both upper and lower limbs for running and other activities. This impairment typically manifests as a during walking that may lessen in running, alongside coordination deficits in the affected limb(s) that affect start , stride length, and balance during athletic . Functional benchmarks include observable in arm swing and trunk control, with the athlete able to stand and walk independently but showing clear limitations in precision and speed on the impaired side(s). Medical eligibility requires a confirmed diagnosis of an underlying neurological condition, such as or , supported by diagnostic documentation from qualified medical professionals, ensuring the impairment is permanent, stable, and meets the minimum impairment criteria without an intellectual component. The condition must cause verifiable coordination deficits that are not temporary or progressive in a manner that alters sport class eligibility. Exclusion from T37 occurs if the impairment does not meet the moderate severity threshold: those with milder coordination issues impacting one to four limbs minimally are directed to , while more severe bilateral involvement across all limbs shifts athletes to T36. Additionally, athletes unable to stand independently or requiring assistive devices for ambulation are ineligible for T37 and instead classified in seated events such as T33 or T34. The 2025 IPC Athlete Classification Code, building on post-2016 revisions, emphasizes evidence-based, sport-specific functional testing—such as gait analysis and balance assessments—over purely diagnostic medical evaluations to better quantify activity limitations and ensure fair competition.

Impairment Types

Cerebral Palsy

Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is the primary impairment type associated with the T37 classification, characterized by spasticity affecting the arm and leg on one side of the body due to non-progressive brain damage occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. This unilateral involvement typically results from injury to the motor cortex or other brain regions controlling movement on the affected side, leading to increased muscle tone, weakness, and impaired coordination primarily in the upper and lower limbs of that half of the body. In T37 athletes, this manifests as moderate spasticity graded 2 to 3 on the Ashworth scale, allowing ambulation without assistive devices but often with a noticeable limp from lower limb involvement. The functional impact in T37 centers on moderate coordination deficits and , where the affected side exhibits reduced strength and control compared to the minimally impaired dominant side, compelling athletes to compensate during activities requiring bilateral movement. For instance, the on the affected side may show limited and , while the lower limb experiences altered patterns due to in muscles like the hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle plantar flexors. This asymmetry influences overall balance and , yet T37 eligibility requires sufficient function on the unaffected side to enable competitive without orthotic support. The previous CP7 subclassification for athletes with hemiplegic involvement directly maps to the modern T37 designation, reflecting evolution in the International Paralympic Committee's unified system for coordination impairments. The majority of T37 athletes originate from cerebral palsy conditions, with hemiplegic CP accounting for the predominant etiology due to its prevalence in causing eligible levels of unilateral impairment. Affected muscle groups commonly include the deltoid, , , and gastrocnemius on one side, resulting in visible that impacts fine and gross motor tasks. Within CP classifications, T37 specifically addresses moderate hemiplegia, distinguishing it from T36, which accommodates more severe impairments such as bilateral , , or quadriplegia affecting all four limbs with greater functional limitation. T37 athletes demonstrate better overall control and less widespread involvement than those in T36, enabling higher despite . Classification assessments for CP cases evaluate these differences through clinical tests of , , and muscle power, as detailed in the broader process.

Acquired Brain Injuries and Other Conditions

The T37 classification accommodates athletes with acquired brain injuries and other post-natal neurological conditions that lead to moderate coordination impairments affecting one side of the body, primarily through , , or . Eligible underlying health conditions include (TBI), , and , which can produce hemiplegic-like symptoms such as unilateral muscle stiffness or involuntary movements. These impairments share functional similarities with by causing moderate one-sided or , often assessed through tests like the Modified Ashworth Scale for or coordination tasks such as the heel-shin slide. For instance, post-stroke can mimic hemiplegic patterns, resulting in asymmetry in , balance, and limb control that impacts athletic performance comparably. A key requirement for T37 eligibility in these cases is proof of permanence, with the impairment deemed stable and unlikely to improve significantly through treatment or . Unlike the typically static nature of , acquired conditions like may be progressive, but athletes can qualify if medical evidence confirms stabilization at the time of assessment.

Classification Process

Assessment Methods

The assessment for T37 classification in para-athletics follows a multi-stage process that combines medical to confirm the underlying with functional to determine the extent of impairment on athletic . The medical stage reviews diagnostic documentation, such as and , to verify coordination impairments like hemiplegia from or , ensuring eligibility under (IPC) standards. Functional assessment then shifts to direct observation of the performing sport-specific tasks, such as running strides or sequences, to quantify how the impairment affects balance, coordination, and propulsion. Key tests during these evaluations target the characteristic one-sided impairments in T37 athletes. Muscle tone is assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, which measures spasticity by grading resistance to passive movement across joints like the hip adductors or knee extensors; for instance, a grade of 2 indicates a catch and release at 16-30 degrees of flexion. Coordination is evaluated through tasks such as the heel-shin slide, where the athlete slides their heel along the opposite shin to detect ataxia (scored 0-4 based on deviations or tremors, with a score of 2 for off-shin contact up to three times), and the nose-finger test, assessing intention tremor amplitude (e.g., 2-5 cm scoring 2). Balance and stride analysis involve one-sided standing tests and gait observation, including a 5-meter walk with a half-turn or tandem walking, scored for asymmetry (e.g., score 2 if tandem walking exceeds 10 steps but with notable deviation). Video analysis of gait further aids in identifying patterns like reduced stride length or circumduction on the affected side, providing objective data on functional limitations. A panel of 2-3 certified classifiers conducts the , typically comprising at least one medical classifier (often a physiotherapist qualified in ) for diagnostic aspects and one or two technical classifiers (with backgrounds in or ) for performance analysis. Bench-side evaluations focus on static measures, such as seated balance (scored 0-4 for time held beyond 10 seconds), while on-field assessments observe dynamic activities like reaching or simulated event tasks to confirm the impairment's impact on sport execution. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive profiling. Recent updates in the 2020s, aligned with the IPC Athlete Classification Code, have shifted toward evidence-based and athlete-centered methods, incorporating standardized scoring protocols and reduced reliance on subjective judgment to enhance consistency and fairness across classifications like T37.

Steps to Become Classified

The process to obtain T37 classification begins with athletes submitting a confirming an eligible impairment, such as moderate coordination impairment affecting one side of the body due to conditions like , along with a consent form to their national para-athletics organization or National Paralympic Committee. This initial submission allows for a preliminary review to determine eligibility under the (IPC) standards, often leading to a provisional status that permits competition at national or lower-level events while further evaluation is pending. Once provisionally classified, athletes progress to full international evaluation, typically conducted by a panel of at least two certified classifiers at major competitions such as World Para Athletics Championships or Paralympic Games. This phase involves on-site physical assessments and observation during warm-up or competition to confirm the T37 sport class, which groups athletes with similar levels of activity limitation for fair competition; athletes must hold an IPC license and provide updated medical documentation prior to this step. Upon successful evaluation, athletes receive a confirmed sport class status (C), allowing unrestricted international participation unless their impairment changes. Classifications are subject to review if an athlete's impairment evolves, such as through medical changes or progression, requiring re-evaluation to maintain or adjust status; additionally, protests can be lodged within 15 minutes after a competition event if performance raises doubts about the classification's accuracy, or within one hour before competition for pre-event concerns, accompanied by a €150 fee. Reclassification may occur if the review panel determines a shift in impairment severity, ensuring ongoing equity. Significant barriers to classification include limited access to certified classifiers and evaluation opportunities in developing countries, where inadequate infrastructure hinders the process, as well as high costs for medical documentation, travel to assessment sites, and participation fees that disproportionately affect athletes from low-resource regions. These challenges can delay or prevent athletes from obtaining T37 status, underscoring the need for international efforts to expand services globally.

Competition Aspects

Rules and Regulations

In T37 competitions, athletes with moderate coordination impairments affecting one side of the body are permitted to use starting blocks for track events up to 400 meters, but a crouch start is not required, allowing for standing starts to accommodate asymmetry in movement. Assistants may set the blocks under supervision, and athletes can receive acoustic signals for alignment in jumping events to ensure fair starts without physical contact. Prosthetics and orthotic devices are allowed only if they comply with the IPC Policy on Sport Equipment and do not provide an unfair advantage; osteo-integrated prostheses are prohibited, and such aids are typically limited to the non-affected side if an athlete has additional limb impairments beyond coordination issues. Anti-doping regulations for T37 athletes follow the IPC Anti-Doping Code, which prohibits the use of banned substances and methods, with violations leading to disqualification and sanctions enforced by the IPC Anti-Doping Tribunal. Integrity measures under the World Para Athletics Rules strictly ban intentional misrepresentation of an athlete's impairment or status, with the IPC conducting reviews—such as those prior to the 2016 Rio Paralympics that examined over 80 potential cases across sports—to detect and penalize such breaches through evidence-based investigations. Technical regulations for T37 events include lane assignments drawn by lot for initial rounds in track races up to meters, with each measuring 1.22 meters wide, and subsequent heats based on performance rankings to maintain fairness. A single is permitted before disqualification, determined by reaction times or movement before the gun, and applies uniformly to relays where T37 athletes participate in mixed T35-T38 teams limited to two T38 competitors. Measurements in field events, such as jumps and throws, are taken to the nearest 0.01 meter using calibrated steel tapes or approved scientific devices, supervised by judges to ensure precision from the takeoff board or circle. To enhance inclusivity under the 2024 rules effective for the Paralympics, minor aids like acoustic orientation signals and up to two non-contact assistants are permitted in field events such as and , allowing T37 athletes better balance and positioning without altering competition equity.

Performance Expectations

Athletes in the T37 classification, characterized by moderate coordination impairments affecting one side of the body, typically exhibit sprint times that reflect the need to compensate for in movement. The current for the men's 100m T37 stands at 10.95 seconds, set by of the at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. In the women's 100m T37, the is 12.27 seconds, achieved by Wen Xiaoyan of at the 2024 in . These benchmarks highlight the impact of hemiplegic or similar impairments, where athletes often train to optimize stride length and balance on the unaffected side while minimizing energy loss from the affected side. At the 2025 in , Ricardo Gomes de Mendonça of set a new championships record of 11.16 seconds in the men's 100m T37 final, demonstrating ongoing performance progression within competitive settings. Performance in T37 events is influenced by targeted training adaptations that address one-sided weakness, such as unilateral strength exercises and neuromuscular coordination drills to enhance symmetry during propulsion. Studies on sprinters with , a common T37 condition, indicate that long-term athletic can partially mitigate neuromuscular deficits, improving muscle activation patterns and reducing spasticity-related variability in stride mechanics. Variability in outcomes may also arise from impairment characteristics; while is non-progressive, conditions like acquired brain injuries can introduce fluctuations due to potential secondary effects such as fatigue or episodic , affecting consistency across races. Gender adjustments are inherent in separate classifications, with women's times generally 10-15% slower than men's due to physiological differences amplified by impairments, as seen in the 100m records. Age-related peaks typically occur in the mid-20s to early 30s, with performance declining more variably in T37 due to coordination demands. Comparatively, T37 athletes perform slower than those in , which involves milder impairments, underscoring the moderate severity in T37; for instance, the men's 100m T38 world record is 10.64 seconds, set by Jaydin Blackwell of the at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Recent trends post-2020 show incremental improvements, driven by advanced methodologies and aids like wearable sensors for real-time biomechanical feedback, enabling finer adjustments to asymmetry compensation. Previews and results from the 2025 World Championships indicated faster qualifying heats, with athletes like Allen of breaking national records at 11.80 seconds, signaling broader gains from these innovations.

Events

Track Events

T37 athletes compete in sprint track events at major international competitions, including the 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m distances, held separately for men and women at the and . These events highlight the unique challenges of asymmetry in movement and coordination, often stemming from conditions such as , requiring athletes to adapt their and balance during acceleration and turns. Competitions follow a standard format of seeded heats based on entry times, culminating in finals for the top qualifiers to determine medal positions. For example, at the 2024 Paralympic Games, Brazil's de Mendonca won the men's 100 m T37 final in 11.07 seconds. To address coordination impairments, events on curved sections of the track, such as the 200 m and 400 m, employ staggered starts to ensure fairness by compensating for lane positions. Relay events are not typically available for T37 classification, as they are reserved for combined classes or universal formats. Sprints attract high participation among T37 athletes, reflecting their suitability for managing shorter distances despite impairments; the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi featured strong entries in the 100 m and 400 m events.

Field Events

Athletes classified as F37 compete in several field events designed to accommodate their moderate coordination impairments affecting one side of the body, primarily due to conditions like cerebral palsy or acquired brain injuries. The standard events include the long jump (F37), shot put (F37), and discus throw (F37), with the javelin throw (F37) featured in select major competitions such as past Paralympic Games and World Championships. In these events, competitions follow a format of three attempts per athlete, with the best valid performance determining the ranking and distance or measurement recorded. For example, in the women's long jump F37 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, the gold medal was achieved with a leap of 5.44 meters. Field events for F37 athletes adhere to general IPC rules on measurement and fouls, ensuring fair play across throws and jumps. Unique adaptations in F37 field events address the hemiplegic , such as one-sided techniques where athletes compensate for reduced mobility on the affected side by relying more on the stronger and , often resulting in altered hip flexion or trunk rotation during discus and releases. In the , runway approaches may exhibit asymmetry in stride length and takeoff, with athletes adjusting for balance to maximize distance despite coordination challenges on one side. These modifications allow F37 competitors to showcase technique tailored to their impairments while maintaining competitive equity. Participation in F37 field events has shown growth, particularly in throwing disciplines, as more athletes with coordination impairments enter the sport through improved access and training programs. The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in included core F37 events—for women: , , and discus; for men: and discus—reflecting expanded opportunities and higher entry numbers compared to prior editions. This trend underscores the increasing global representation in field competitions for this class.

Historical Development

Origins and Evolution

The classification system for athletes with , including what would later become T37, originated in the through separate international competitions organized by the International Cerebral Palsy Society (ICPS), which hosted the first Cerebral Palsy Games in 1972. These early events used a medical-based approach, grouping athletes by rather than functional ability, with CP7 designating those with hemiplegic who could walk but experienced significant impairment on one side of the body. This system focused exclusively on , limiting participation to a narrow range of impairments and offering few events, primarily in athletics and , as the emphasis was on rehabilitation through . In the 1980s, athletes were integrated into the for the first time at the 1980 Arnhem Games, under the oversight of the newly formed International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) in 1978, which continued the model with classes like CP7. However, a pivotal shift occurred toward functional classification, prioritizing the impact of impairments on sports performance over , influenced by broader Paralympic efforts to ensure fairness. This transition aligned with the establishment of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 1989, which sought to unify and standardize systems across impairment types, though early adoption faced challenges such as inconsistent assessments and restricted event options for CP athletes. During the 1990s and 2000s, CP classifications were incorporated into a unified track (T) and field (F) system, with the 1992 Games marking full eligibility for athletes under CP-ISRA's functional guidelines developed at the 1991 International Functional Classification Symposium. The T37 class, evolving directly from CP7, was formalized after the IPC's 2007 Classification Code, expanding to include not only hemiplegic but also similar coordination impairments from acquired brain injuries or other neurological conditions, thereby broadening access while maintaining a focus on moderate unilateral effects. Early in this period, challenges persisted, including limited track and field events tailored to T37 athletes and an ongoing emphasis on -specific criteria before the system's wider applicability.

Key Milestones

In 2012, during the London Paralympic Games, significant controversies arose regarding the T37 , particularly accusations of intentional misrepresentation where athletes with less severe impairments were allegedly classified into T37 to gain competitive advantages. British T37 athlete Bethany Woodward, a silver medalist in the 200m at London 2012, publicly withdrew from competition and returned her relay medals, citing concerns that some teammates were misclassified and that the system failed to ensure fairness. These disputes highlighted vulnerabilities in the classification process and prompted calls for greater transparency and independent oversight. Following the London Games, the (IPC) intensified reviews of classification practices, culminating in intensified reviews ahead of the 2016 Rio Paralympics, investigating potential cases of intentional across multiple sports. Although no definitive of widespread was found in , the reviews exposed inconsistencies in functional assessments for coordination impairments like those in T37, leading to the implementation of stricter protocols, including more rigorous physical examinations and during competition to verify eligibility. This shift aimed to minimize disputes by emphasizing evidence-based evaluation over self-reported histories. The post-Rio period marked an evolution toward an athlete-centered classification code, with the IPC updating its standards in to prioritize the athlete's experience and functional capacity in sport-specific contexts, reducing reliance on medical diagnoses alone. By 2025, the latest IPC Classification Code further reinforced this approach, defining classification as a pathway to participation for athletes with eligible impairments while promoting equity and minimizing barriers. This framework directly influenced T37 by integrating more holistic assessments that account for how impairments affect performance in events. The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics featured participation in T37 by athletes with acquired coordination impairments, such as those resulting from or trauma, in addition to those with congenital conditions like and increasing participation diversity. This trend continued into the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where record-breaking performances underscored the class's competitiveness; for instance, Neutral Paralympic Athlete Andrei Vdovin set a new world record in the men's 400m T37 with a time of 50.27 seconds. These Games highlighted advancements in training and that enabled athletes to push performance limits while adhering to updated standards. The in represented the first major international event under the fully implemented post-2024 IPC rules, emphasizing greater diversity in T37 participation with athletes from over 100 countries, including increased representation from and . Hosted in for the first time, the Championships featured standout T37 results, such as Brazilian athlete Passarin setting a new event record of 50.13 seconds in the men's 400m final, reflecting the global growth and inclusivity of the classification.

Governance

Governing Bodies

The primary governing body for T37 classification in para-athletics is World Para Athletics (WPA), the international federation responsible for overseeing the sport globally, including the development and implementation of classification rules for athletes with coordination impairments such as those in the T37 category. WPA operates as a sport-specific entity under the umbrella of the (IPC), ensuring that T37 athletes compete in events like with fair groupings based on functional limitations. At the international level, the IPC serves as the overarching authority, establishing global standards for all Paralympic classifications, including T37, through its Athlete Classification Code, which WPA adapts for athletics. Founded on September 22, 1989, in , , the IPC now coordinates over 200 National Paralympic Committees and international sports federations to promote inclusive para-sport governance. Nationally, organizations such as U.S. Paralympics (under the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee) and Paralympics Australia handle local T37 classifications, conducting evaluations and ensuring compliance with IPC and WPA guidelines for domestic competitions and athlete pathways to international events. The IPC and WPA collaborate closely with medical experts to train and certify classifiers, who include physicians and allied health professionals essential for accurate T37 assessments, through programs like the IPC's online classification education and partnerships with bodies such as the International Federation of .

Classification Standards

The (IPC) Athlete Classification Code, effective from January 1, 2025, establishes an evidence-based, sport-specific framework for classifying athletes with eligible impairments, ensuring fair competition by grouping athletes according to the degree to which their impairment affects performance in a given . This code defines minimum impairment criteria (MIC) as the threshold level of impairment required for eligibility, assessed through standardized, reliable methods that exclude considerations of sport performance or adaptive equipment. For T37 classification in athletics, the World Para Athletics (WPA) Rules and Regulations incorporate sport-specific guidelines aligned with the IPC Code, detailing functional profiles for athletes with moderate coordination impairments, such as , , or primarily affecting one side of the body. These profiles are outlined in appendices, including assessments of sitting balance (scored on a 0-4 scale), standing (0-6 scale), (0-8 scale), heel-shin slide (0-4 scale), and nose-finger test (0-4 scale), with eligibility confirmed via physical tests like and grading. Updates in the , reflected in the 2025 IPC Code following a three-year review process initiated in 2021, emphasize data privacy through the International Standard for Classification Data Protection, which mandates confidential handling of diagnostic and classification information. Appeals processes allow national federations to challenge breaches of rules via an independent appeal body, while integration of technology, such as audio-visual recordings and during observation assessments, is permitted provided it adheres to data protection standards. Enforcement of these standards is managed by the IPC and international federations like WPA, with protests against decisions handled by dedicated protest panels appointed by the relevant body; non-compliance, including intentional misrepresentation, can result in suspension or other disciplinary measures by the IPC tribunal.

References

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  30. https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024-paralympic-games/results/athletics/men-s-100-m-t37
  31. https://www.paralympic.org/athletics/new-delhi-2025
  32. https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/New%20Delhi%202025_Qualification%20Criteria%20and%20Event%20Programme.pdf
  33. https://lexi.global/sports/athletics/field/f37
  34. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sport/jo-paralympiques-2024/results/athletics/long-jump-t37-f/
  35. https://www.paralympic.org/news/new-delhi-2025-day-one-medallists
  36. https://worldabilitysport.org/about/who-we-are/history/
  37. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-47901-3_18
  38. https://www.paralympic.org/classification/history
  39. https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/41253174
  40. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/04/paralympian-bethany-woodward-withdraws-team-gb-uka-classification
  41. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/04/concernts-paralympics-athletes-abuse-official-classification-uk-athletics-email
  42. https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1052397/ipc-scientific-and-medical-director-backs-calls-for-athlete-focused-classification-system
  43. https://paralympic.cz/wp-content/uploads/IPC-Classification-Code-and-International-Standards-01_01_2025.pdf
  44. https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024-paralympic-games/results/athletics/men-s-400-m-t37
  45. https://www.paralympic.org/news/new-delhi-2025-day-five-medallists
  46. https://www.paralympic.org/ipc/who-we-are
  47. https://www.usopc.org/paralympic-classification-information
  48. https://www.paralympic.org/classification-education
  49. https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-and-international-federation-sports-medicine-fims-sign-partnership-agreement
  50. https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/IPC%20Classification%20Code%2001_01_2025.pdf
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