Disabled sports are sports played by persons with disabilities. As many disabled sports are based on existing able-bodied sports that have been modified to meet the needs of persons with a disability, they are sometimes referred to as adapted sports. However, not all disabled sports are adapted. Several sports specifically created for persons with a disability have no equivalent in able-bodied sports (e.g. Goalball for visually impaired athletes and wheelchair racing within athletics). Organised disabled sport is generally divided into three broad disability groups: the deaf, people with physical disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities. Each of these has a distinct history, organisation, competition programme and approach to sport. Of all the movements and organisations in the broader world of disabled sports, the one with perhaps the biggest impact on athletics is the Paralympics. The aim of this article is to provide a background briefing on disabled sport and key issues in disability athletics as a basis for further discussion and study. It addresses the following topic areas: • History • The Paralympic Movement • Eligibility and Classification of Disabled Athletes • Assistive Technology in Disability Athletics • Cheating in Disabled Sport • Inclusion of Disabled Athletes in Able-Bodied Athletics Competitions
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