How does national classification work for a physical impairment?

National classification for physical impairments (PI) is held in conjunction with a competition and conducted by a panel of one medical classifier and one technical classifier. It has three parts: physical assessment, technical assessment and observation in competition.

1. Confirm you meet the Athletics Canada eligibility criteria (citizenship or landed immigrant status, membership, 3 to 6 months of Para training, one event competed in, and a coach's letter).
2. Complete the Request for National Classification form and await a response from Athletics Canada's Classification Lead.
3. Submit a Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF) for Physical Impairments, completed by a medical doctor, clearly defining the diagnosis (underlying health condition) and impairment(s).
4. Submit supporting medical documentation. The Classification Lead tells you which documents are needed once approved.
5. Register for an event offering PI national classification (for example the Canadian Track and Field Championships or another event approved by Athletics Canada). Classification takes place one or two days before competition, and observation in competition is required. If you compete in both track and field you need observation for both.

You then receive a sport class (for example T/F38) and a status (Confirmed "C", Review "R" or Fixed Review Date "FRD") and are listed in the National Classification Database. Questions go to classification@athletics.ca.

Source: Athletics Canada National Classification Guidelines: https://athletics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/National-Classification-Guidelines.pdf