IPC to Centralize Vision Impairment Classification in 2025

Author: International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
Published: 16 Aug 2024 - Updated: 4 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information outlines a 2024 plan by the International Paralympic Committee to offer a single, centralized vision impairment classification service to international sports federations from 2025 onward, at the start of a new summer Paralympic cycle and a new Classification Code. Classification decides which athletes are eligible and which class they compete in, and for vision impairment the methods and classifiers are already shared across sports, making one service practical. The IPC says the change will standardize assessments, clarify the roles of the IPC, the International Blind Sports Federation and individual federations, and pool resources to prevent and detect athletes intentionally misrepresenting their vision. It matters to blind and partially sighted athletes in 11 Paralympic sports, as fair and consistent classification is central to trust in the results of Para sport.*

At a Glance

1 - The IPC plans more training, dialogue and re-certification for classifiers.
2 - Vision classification is the same across sports, unlike physical impairment classes.
3 - The service aims to offer multi-sport and out-of-competition classification sessions.
4 - Until now IBSA, the IPC and the international federations all shared the work, which led to overlapping roles and duplicated effort.

Topic Definition

Vision Impairment Classification: Vision impairment classification is the process used in Para sport to decide whether an athlete with sight loss is eligible to compete and which sport class they belong to, based on medical eye tests of visual acuity and visual field. Athletes are usually placed in one of three classes, from B1 or its equivalent for those with little or no light perception to B3 for those with the most remaining sight, so that they compete against others with a similar level of impairment.

Overview

Following discussion with its member organizations and detailed planning, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is looking to offer centralized vision impairment (VI) classification services for the Paralympic Movement from 2025 onward.

By offering international federations a centralized VI classification service, the IPC aims to:

Conduct all stages of VI classification with an athlete-centered approach, ensuring standardization of assessments
Clearly define roles and responsibilities and increase collaboration between international federations and the IPC
Pool resources to invest more in the integrity of VI classification systems, and preventing, identifying and managing cases of intentional misrepresentation
Support the classifier workforce with more, regular dialogue, enhanced training and re-certification processes and services
Further knowledge transfer and understanding of VI classification to facilitate evidence-based improvements
Maximize resources through developing multi-sport and out-of-competition classification opportunities
Increase the access of classification opportunities for athletes

There are 11 sports included on the Paralympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games sport programs which offer competition opportunities for athletes with a vision impairment. Additionally, there are a number of other sports which offer competition opportunities for this athlete population outside of the Paralympic Games program.

Currently, the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), the IPC, and the respective international federations, are all involved in VI classification. However, this combined effort leads to unclear roles and responsibilities across different stakeholders, and sometimes results in duplicated efforts.

Tea Cisic, the IPC's Head of Classification, said:

"Following several years of discussions with international federations, the IPC will start to offer international federations a centralized vision impairment classification service from 2025 onward, bringing benefits to international federations, classifiers and, most importantly, athletes."

"Unlike classification for physical and intellectual impairments which is very sport specific, classification for athletes with vision impairment is unique in that the classification process, including the assessment methods and classifier workforce, is harmonized across Para sports. This creates efficiencies and opportunities to optimize the process."

"With the introduction of a new Classification Code from 2025, the start of a new Paralympic cycle for summer sports, and ever improving technologies and methods, we believe now is the time to offer international federations a centralized approach where one organization - which has capacity, knowledge and expertise - leads on the delivery of common services across sports."

"The new approach will pool resources to allow greater investment in the development and integrity of vision impairment classification systems. The result will be standardization of assessments and a more athlete-centered approach."

The IPC is committed to innovative ways of supporting its members and developing Para sport; this initiative represents one of those efforts in the core area of IPC's business - classification. The IPC will regularly review the success of the centralized approach through feedback from stakeholders involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Which Paralympic sports include athletes with vision impairment?

They include Para athletics, Para swimming, goalball, blind football, judo, Para cycling, Para rowing, Para triathlon, Para alpine skiing, Para Nordic skiing and Para biathlon, among others.

What do the B1, B2 and B3 classes mean?

B1 athletes have very low or no vision, B2 athletes have low visual acuity or a very narrow field of vision, and B3 athletes have the most remaining sight within the eligible range.

In events such as B1 races and goalball, all athletes wear opaque goggles or eyeshades so that any remaining light perception gives no advantage.

Can an athlete be reclassified?

Yes, athletes with progressive conditions or a review status may be assessed again, and classes can change if their vision changes or new evidence emerges.

What is intentional misrepresentation in classification?

It is when an athlete deliberately underperforms or gives false information during assessment to be placed in a class with more impaired competitors. It can lead to long bans.

Who are classifiers?

Classifiers are trained officials, usually with medical or sports science backgrounds such as ophthalmologists or optometrists for vision classes, who assess athletes and assign sport classes.

The International Blind Sports Federation is a global body that governs several sports for blind and partially sighted athletes, including goalball, blind football and judo.

Athletes usually start through their national Paralympic committee or national sports federation, which can arrange national classification and later international assessment.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Classification is the part of Para sport that spectators rarely see but athletes feel most keenly, since a single assessment can decide whether someone competes at all. Vision classes have also been the target of some of the most serious cheating cases, where athletes exaggerated their sight loss to gain an advantage, so pooling expertise and testing methods under one body is meant to protect clean competitors. A central service could also make it easier for athletes in countries with few classifiers to get assessed before major events. Athletes and coaches should check the current rules of their sport and the IPC, as classification codes and procedures are updated through each Paralympic cycle.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and published on 16 Aug 2024. Last updated on 4 Nov 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.