The ITU has supported the development of paratriathlon
for more than 10 years. There are currently six categories for physically
challenged athletes to compete in at the ITU World Triathlon Championships
each year.
The goals of the ITU Paratriathlon Committee are:
To oversee the development of paratriathlon within
the triathlon community by growing participation, developing elite
performance, evolving events and building profile
To work towards triathlon's inclusion in the Paralympic
Games
The 2009 paratriathlon brochure is available for download
here.
ITU Paratriathlon Committee
The members of the ITU paratriathlon
Committee are as follows:
Mark Barfield - Great Britain
Jon Beeson - USA
Marguerite Christophers - New Zealand
Grant Darby - Canada
Alfred Lipp - Germany
Roberto Menescal - Brazil
Vijitr Sittinawin - Thailand
ITU Staff representative - Thanos Nikopoulos
Please contact Thanos
Nikopoulos for more information concerning paratriathlon
2009 ITU Paratriathlon Categories
Paratriathlon
Competition Categories
Physically Challenged Competition Categories shall be established
based on physical disabilities. Medical evidence shall be required
as to disability and classification. The six categories are as follows:
TRI 1 - Handcycle: Paraplegic, Quadriplegic, Polio,
Double Leg Amputee. Must use
hand cycle on bike course and racing wheel chair on run. TRI 2 - Severe leg impairment including above knee
amputees. Athlete must ride bicycle and run with above knee prosthesis
(or similar prosthesis) or run using crutches. TRI 3 - Les Autre: This category includes athletes
with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, double
leg amputee runners or paralysis in multiple limbs. These athletes
will ride a bicycle and run. They may use braces or prosthesis if
required. TRI 4 - Arm impairment including paralysis, above
elbow amputees and below
elbow amputees, or impairment in both upper limbs. Athletes may use
prosthesis, brace or sling on the bike and/or run. TRI 5 - Moderate leg impairment including below knee
amputees. Athlete rides bicycle and runs with prosthesis. TRI 6 - Visual Impairment, legally Blind (20/200
vision with best corrective vision). A handler of the same sex is
mandatory throughout the race. Athlete is tethered during the swim.
Athlete uses a tandem bicycle and may be tethered during the run.
