Paratriathlon, as well as Paracanoe, will be part of the Paralympic Programme for the first time in Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Since 1995, there are world championships every year, and the number of competitors all over the globe increases in an accelerated pace. The sport includes swimming, cycling and running courses.
There are currently six categories for physically challenged athletes that compete in over the sprint paratriathlon distance of 750m swim, 20km bike (handcycle/tandem), 5km run (wheelchair) at the ITU World Triathlon Championships each year.
The six categories are as follows:
TRI 1- Handcycle: Paraplegic, Quadriplegic, Polio, Double Leg Amputee. Must use handcycle on bike course and racing wheelchair 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. Athlete will ride a bicycle and run. Athlete 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. Athlete 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 and run. Athlete uses a tandem bicycle.
Paratriathlon is one of the few sports in which athletes with different disabilities compete side by side. Athletes from the six categories start the competition together, and the medals are awarded to each category.
