How does classification work in Commonwealth para-sports?

[BBC]

Unlike other multi-sport events such as the Olympics, para-sports are fully integrated into the Commonwealth Games instead of being held as a separate event.

Of the 10 sports taking place at Glasgow 2026, six have a para-sport equivalent in which athletes will compete, concurrently with all other events - with every medal won contributing to a nation's total tally across the Games as a whole.

Here is how each sport is adapted for para-athletes and how classification works for each.

Para-athletics

Jaydon Page competes for Australia in a para-atheltics classification that permits use of prosthetics [Getty Images]

Para-athletics has been part of the Commonwealth Games since Manchester 2002.

Events use a classification system for athletes in order for competitors to be grouped fairly, according to type and degree of disability.

The letter 'T' denotes track events, with 'F' for field events.

Numbers are used to indicate both type and severity of impairment, with lower numbers in each indicating a lower degree of disability.

Examples of classifications include:

T/F11-13  for visual impairment

T/F20  for intellectual impairment

T/F35-38  for co-ordination impairments

T/F40-41 for short stature

T/F42-44  for lower limb competing without prosthesis

T/F45-47 for upper limb impairment

T/F61-64 for lower limb impairment competing with prosthesis

Some athletes may compete with guides, or compete in a classification where they can use prosthetic limbs to aid performance.

Para-bowls

Para-bowls players may use prosthetics or wheelchairs as adaptations [Getty Images]

Para-bowls was officially introduced to the Commonwealth Games at Manchester 2002 after being demonstrated at Victoria 1994.

Athletes are again assessed by certified classifiers and grouped according to impairment type and severity.

Codes B1-B4 indicate visual impairment, and B5-B8 indicate physical disabilities.

Glasgow 2026 featured men's pairs B6-B8, women's pairs B6-B8 and mixed pairs B2-B3.

Para-bowls follows exactly the same rules as mainstream bowls, but some physical adaptations are present such as the use of delivery aids - for example, use of wheelchairs and supportive equipment, and help from assistants.

Para-cycling

Wales' James Ball and pilot Matthew Rotherman won the men's para-sport sprint B tandem final cycling event at Birmingham 2022 [Getty Images]

Para-cycling at the Commonwealth Games has eight classified impairment types in which athletes are grouped.

These are:

Impaired muscle power

Impaired passive range of movement

Limb deficiency

Leg length difference

Hypertonia

Ataxia

Athetosis

Visual impairment

Cyclists are then separated into further categories:

'C' for cycle, which is a conventional bike with adaptations if necessary, such as changes to gear settings and modifications for better grip and control

'B' for tandem, if visually impaired athletes require a sighted pilot

Finally, numbers again classify level of impairment. C ranges from C1-5, but B is a standalone classification.

Wheelchair basketball

Wheelchair 3x3 follows many of the same rules as the running version of the sport [Getty Images]

Classification works slightly differently in 3x3 wheelchair basketball - first played as a Commonwealth sport at Birmingham 2022 - compared to other para-sports at the Games.

An athlete's capacity to complete the skills necessary to play - pushing, pivoting and shooting - is assessed by certified classifiers.

Individual players are given a classification number based on this, and to ensure fairness in matches, a team of three cannot exceed a points total of 8.5 points for on-court players at any point.

Otherwise, the rules of wheelchair 3x3 are in line with most of the rules seen in the running game.

Court size, hoop height, game length and the first-to-21 wins system remain the same across both disciplines.

There are however some adaptations for wheelchair movement, such as in the travel rule, which is adjusted so that athletes must pass or bounce the ball after every two pushes on their wheelchair, to avoid being penalised.

Playing at speed with heavy-duty wheelchairs can result in some collisons, but deliberate head-on contact is banned.

Para-powerlifting

Para-powerlifters all compete in the bench press discipline [Getty Images]

Men's para-powerlifting took place as a Commonwealth sport for the first time at Manchester 2002, before the women's event was introduced at Delhi 2010.

Classification is again slightly different compared to other para-sports, as there are not multiple functional sport classes at play.

Instead, athletes compete based on gender and weight, with all competitors having an impairment in their lower limbs or hips that meets a minimum level of impairment.

Athletes all compete in the bench press, getting three attempts at lowering the bar to their chest, holding it still, then pressing to full arm extension.

Three referees judge the performance using a light system:

Two or more white lights for a good lift

Two or more red lights for no lift

The heaviest successful weight lifted wins the gold medal.

Commonwealth Games regulations state that a fourth lifted attempt may be granted "at the jury's discretion" for a world record attempt, but will not count towards the final standings.

Para-swimming

There are now 12 events in Commonwealth para-swimming [Getty Images]

Manchester 2002 was once again the debut event for another Commonwealth para-sport, with the the introduction of para-swimming.

There are three impairment groups in Commonwealth para-swimming: physical, intellectual and visual.

There are then 10 eligible impairment types numbered 1-10 in a similar severity scale to other para-sports.

Sport class names are:

S for freestyle, butterfly and backstroke

SB for breaststroke

SM for individual medley

The impairment types are as follows:

S1-S10/SB1-SB9/SM...

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