Paralympic Classification Explained: What Do the Numbers and Letters Mean?

Paralympic classification exists for one fundamental reason: to minimize the impact of impairment on the sporting outcome. Without classification, athletes with mild impairments would always beat athletes with severe impairments, regardless of talent, training, or technique.

The analogy to weight classes in boxing is the clearest explanation. Just as it would be unfair to pit a flyweight against a heavyweight, it would be unfair to pit a single below-knee amputee against a double above-knee amputee in a skiing race. Classification groups athletes so that the winner is determined by sporting ability, not by who has the least impairment.

Critically, classification is sport-specific. The way an impairment affects alpine skiing is different from how it affects cross-country skiing or snowboarding. An athlete may have one classification in alpine (LW4) and a different effective performance impact in another sport. That's why each sport has its own classification system and its own set of codes.

The IPC recognizes 10 types of eligible impairments across all Paralympic sports. Not every sport includes all 10 — winter sports primarily involve physical and vision impairments.

Being classified is a multi-step process that every Paralympic athlete must go through:

Step 1: Medical Review — A panel of 2–3 trained classifiers reviews the athlete's medical documentation, including diagnosis, medical history, and imaging (where relevant). This establishes the underlying impairment and confirms eligibility.

Step 2: Physical/Technical Assessment — Classifiers conduct standardized tests to measure how the impairment affects the athlete's ability to perform sport-specific movements. For skiing, this might include measurements of range of motion, muscle strength, balance, and coordination.

Step 3: Observation in Competition — The athlete is observed during actual competition to verify that their performance aligns with their classified impairment level. This is critical for detecting intentional misrepresentation (athletes deliberately underperforming during assessment to receive a more favorable classification).

Classification Status:

• Confirmed (C): Classification is final and cannot be challenged except through formal protest.
• Review (R): Classification is provisional and subject to re-evaluation at future competitions.
• New (N): First-time classification that will be reviewed.

Reclassification is possible if an athlete's condition changes (progressive conditions), if new evidence emerges, or if a formal protest is upheld.

This is the master reference table for all classification codes used across the 6 winter Paralympic sports at Milano-Cortina 2026. Bookmark this section — it's the decoder ring for watching the Games.

The LW (Locomotor Winter) system is the most complex classification in Paralympic winter sport, covering athletes across alpine skiing, biathlon, and cross-country skiing.

Standing Classes (LW1–LW9):

• LW1: Severe impairment in both legs — uses 2 skis + 2 outriggers
• LW2: Single leg impairment (e.g., above-knee amputation) — uses 1 ski + 2 outriggers
• LW3: Both legs impaired, less severe — uses 2 skis + 2 poles
• LW4: One leg impaired, less severe — uses 2 skis + 2 poles
• LW5/7: Both arms impaired — uses 2 skis, NO poles
• LW6/8: One arm impaired — uses 2 skis + 1 pole
• LW9: Combined arm + leg impairment — equipment varies

Sitting Classes (LW10–LW12):

• LW10: Most severe — minimal trunk control (T5–T10 paraplegia)
• LW11: Moderate — partial trunk control (lower paraplegia)
• LW12: Least severe — good trunk control (minimal leg impairment)

Vision Impaired:

• Alpine uses AS1–AS4 (new system for 2026): AS1 = most severe, AS4 = least severe
• Nordic uses B1–B3 (traditional): B1 = total/near-total blindness, B2 = severe, B3 = moderate

All vision impaired athletes compete with mandatory guide athletes. In alpine, guides ski ahead giving verbal commands. In cross-country, guides are tethered to the athlete.

For detailed explanations with worked examples, see our Para Alpine Skiing Factored Time and Para Nordic Skiing guides.

Para snowboard uses the simplest classification: just 3 categories based on limb impairment:

• SB-UL (Upper Limb): Arm/hand impairment. Athletes have full lower body function but must adapt balance and technique without full arm use.
• SB-LL1 (Lower Limb 1): More severe leg impairment (e.g., above-knee amputation). Major biomechanical adaptation required. Many use sport-specific prosthetics.
• SB-LL2 (Lower Limb 2): Less severe leg impairment (e.g., below-knee amputation). Modified technique but more range of motion preserved than SB-LL1.

Unlike skiing, para snowboard does not use factored time — each classification has its own separate medal event, so there's no need to adjust times between classes.

For complete coverage, see our Para Snowboard Racing guide.

The classification system, while essential, is not without controversy:

Intentional Misrepresentation — The most serious issue. Some athletes have been accused of deliberately underperforming during classification assessments to receive a lower (more favorable) classification. This is considered the equivalent of doping in Paralympic sport. High-profile cases have led to stricter observation protocols and in-competition monitoring.

Subjectivity of Assessment — While classifiers follow standardized protocols, there is inevitably some subjectivity in evaluating how an impairment affects function. Two panels might classify the same athlete differently, leading to protests and appeals.

Progressive Conditions — Athletes with conditions that change over time (such as multiple sclerosis or degenerative eye conditions) face the uncertainty of potential reclassification. A change in class can dramatically affect competitive prospects.

Borderline Athletes — Athletes on the boundary between two classes face difficult situations. Being classified one level up (less severe) can mean competing against athletes with significantly less impairment, while one level down would mean a different competitive landscape.

Despite these challenges, the classification system remains the foundation of fair Paralympic competition. The IPC continues to invest in research, training, and technology to improve the system's accuracy and consistency.

If you're interested in how classification works beyond winter sports, here's a preview of the summer systems:

Athletics (Track & Field) uses T (Track) and F (Field) prefixes followed by numbers: T11–T13 (vision), T20 (intellectual), T31–T38 (coordination), T40–T46 (limb), T51–T57 (wheelchair). The number indicates the sport class within each impairment group.

Swimming uses S (Freestyle/Backstroke/Butterfly), SB (Breaststroke), SM (Individual Medley) prefixes. S1 = most severe, S14 = least severe. Because different strokes use different body movements, an athlete may have different classifications for different strokes.

Wheelchair Basketball uses a unique point system (1.0–4.5). Each player is assigned a point value based on functional ability. Teams must field 5 players whose total points don't exceed 14.0, forcing strategic lineup decisions.

Boccia uses BC1–BC4 classes for athletes with severe impairments affecting all four limbs. BC3 athletes use a ramp to direct the ball because they cannot throw.

Every summer sport has its own system, just as every winter sport does. The principle is always the same: group athletes by functional ability so that talent, not impairment level, determines the winner.