Athletics events are open to athletes in all disability classes and have been a part of the Paralympic program since the first Paralympic Games in Rome, Italy, in 1960.  Events include track, throwing, jumping, pentathlon and the marathon.

The rules of Paralympic track and field are almost identical to those of its non-disabled counterpart.  Certain allowances are made to accommodate certain disabilities.  For example, the blind and more severely visually impaired runners compete with guide runners, who are often attached by the wrist with a tether to the runner. 

Paralympic track and field competition is open to male and female athletes with physical disabilities such as dwarfism, amputation/limb loss, blindness/visual impairment, spinal cord injury/wheelchair-users and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.

E-mail your questions about track & field.  Find a local program in your community - visit the Paralympic Activity Network.