What are codes of exception?

Question

Accepted Answer

Codes of exception are exceptions that a classification panel can allocate to a swimmer because of the nature of their impairment, during the technical assessment (World Para Swimming Rules, Appendix One). Officials then apply the rules with those exceptions. Code Exception H Hearing impairment (light or signal required) Y Starting device E Unable to grip for backstroke start A Assistance required T Tapper B Blackened goggles 1 One-hand start 2 One-hand touch (breaststroke) 3 Simultaneous intent to touch (breaststroke) 4 One-hand touch (butterfly) 5 Simultaneous intent to touch (butterfly) 7 Part of upper body must touch 8 / 9 Right / left foot must turn out (breaststroke) 12 Leg drag or show intent to kick + Able to perform a butterfly kick (illegal in breaststroke) Numbered codes by stroke: the rules allow only these per stroke: freestyle, none; backstroke, only "1"; butterfly, only "4", "5" and "7"; breaststroke, only "2", "3", "7", "8", "9", "12" and "+". To change a code, a medical review request must be made under the World Para Swimming Classification Rules; any reassessment is only to identify the codes.

Code	Exception
H	Hearing impairment (light or signal required)
Y	Starting device
E	Unable to grip for backstroke start
A	Assistance required
T	Tapper
B	Blackened goggles
1	One-hand start
2	One-hand touch (breaststroke)
3	Simultaneous intent to touch (breaststroke)
4	One-hand touch (butterfly)
5	Simultaneous intent to touch (butterfly)
7	Part of upper body must touch
8 / 9	Right / left foot must turn out (breaststroke)