Paratriathlon

2019 Milan ITU World Paratriathlon Series

What is Paratriathlon?

Paratriathlon is a variant of the sport of triathlon for athletes with a physical disability. The sport is governed by the International Triathlon Union (ITU), and made its Paralympic debut at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio and Commonwealth Games debut in 2018.

To find out more about “What is paratriathlon” please watch this short video

For over 20 years now, the ITU has committed to support the development of Paratriathlon.  There are currently nine sport classes for athletes with impairments, who can compete in six different medal events over the sprint Paratriathlon distance of 750m swim, 20km bike (handcycle/tandem), 5km run (wheelchair) at the different ITU races each season, including the ITU World Triathlon Championships.

What is Classification?

There are different competitive sport classes in Paratriathlon, and individuals who want to take part are assigned a classification, based on their disability. Classification provides a structure for competition to ensure the success of an athlete is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus.

There are nine sport classes in Paratriathlon that compete in six medal events:

  • PTWC1 – Most impaired wheelchair users. Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment; Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to:  muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis.
  • PTWC2 – Least impaired wheelchair users. Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment; Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to:  muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis.
  • PTS2 – Severe impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
  • PTS3 – Significant impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
  • PTS4 – Moderate impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
  • PTS5 – Mild impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement..
  • PTVI1 – Includes athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception in either eye, to some light perception. One guide is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment. A guide from the same nationality and gender is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.
  • PTVI2 – Includes athletes who are more severe partially sighted athletes. One guide is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment. A guide from the same nationality and gender is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.
  • PTVI3 – Includes athletes who are less severe partially sighted athletes. One guide is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment. A guide from the same nationality and gender is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.

Both PTWC1 and PTWC2 classes compete in the same PTWC Medal Event. All the ambulant classes (PTS2-PTS5) compete in their own medal event and the three visual impaired classes (PTVI1, PTVI2 and PTVI3) compete into the PTVI medal event.

For a description of all classes please read the IPC’s Guide to Paralympic Classification.

Get Involved

If you just want to find out a bit more about getting involved in triathlon or want to try taking part in an event for the first time then take a look at our Disability Triathlon page here.

If you are interested in the Performance Pathway and eventually racing internationally please register you interest here, athletes from all Home Nations should use this link.  Once you have registered your interest you will be sent further information about the next Virtual Home Nations Paratriathlon session where you will find out more about the Pathway, how to get involved and be able to ask any questions you may have.

You can also find out more about  Performance Paratriathlon  on the British Triathlon website.  But you can also contact our Performance Team for more information

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Triathlon Scotland is proud to work alongside the following partners and sponsors.

  • British Triathlon
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  • University of Stirling
  • Equality in Sport
  • Winning Students Scotland
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