T20 (classification)

File:Arleta Meloch - 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships.jpg

Arleta Meloch, T20 world record holding athlete at three distances

T20 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics. It broadly covers athletes with intellectual disabilities.

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. This classification broadly covers athletes with intellectual disabilities. The classification by Buckley goes on to say "To become eligible to compete in the Paralympic Games, all athletes with an Intellectual Disability have to reach the primary eligibility criteria, which is determined by:

• An IQ score at or below 75 (when IQ 100 is the score of the average person)
• Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour (conceptual, social or practical adaptive skills) [Examples may include: communication, self care, social skills, home living, health and safety]
• Onset acquired before the age of 18"

The Australian Paralympic Committee defines this classification as being for athletes who have the "Intellectually disabled athletes must have substantial limitation in intellectual function. The athlete’s intellectual function is approximately 70 – 75 or below. Limitations in two or more of the following adaptive skill areas; communication, self-care; home living, social skills, community use, self direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work. They must have acquired their condition before age 18."

Becoming classified

For Australian athletics competitors seeking to be classified in this category, they need to undergo a classification evaluation where they will earn either provisional or national certification depending on who the evaluators are. Athletes undergo a medical examination and are asked to demonstrate their skills in athletics. They may also be asked to demonstrate other sport related skills such as jumping rope or swimming. A determination is then made as to what classification an athlete should compete in.

Competitors

Australian athletics competitors in this class include Colin Abbey, Crystal Lea Adams, Kai Armstrong and Amanda Berry. Spanish competitors include José Martínez Morote.

See also

• Para-athletics classification
• Athletics at the Summer Paralympics
• S14, the classification for intellectual disabilities in swimming.