Paralympic Games champion outlines the problem that is bigger than doping ahead of Paris competition

Australian Paralympic Games champion Vanessa Low has warned that classification issues pose a bigger problem than doping at this year’s sporting bonanza in Paris.

The Paralympics, which get under way tonight with the opening ceremony on the Champs-Elysees, features a classification system which determines which groups athletes go into depending on the type and severity of their impairment. 

Classification undoubtedly provides athletes the amazing opportunity to compete and inspire millions on the biggest stage, but questions have arisen over the system and how competitors are categorised.

Allegations of athletes exaggerating, or even lying, about symptoms has clouded recent Paralympic Games, with the International Paralympic Committee introducing a new code next year, the first time it has done so since 2015.  

‘The new code promises better classification for athletes and a continued growth in the confidence and integrity of classification and para-sport competition,’ the IPC said earlier this year. 

Australian long jumper Low accepted that athletes could win gold medals in classifications they should not be competing in. 

‘I mean, we always run that risk and I think this has happened in the past,’ Low told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

‘The reality is classification is still a fairly subjective matter in some classifications where it’s very difficult to put measures on, especially when you look at the cerebral palsy classes where you can’t exactly see how the impairment affects the athlete.

The Games get under way in Paris tonight with the opening ceremony kicking things off

‘At the moment with how the system is it can be open to those opportunities of finding little loopholes and exaggerating some of the impairments that athletes have, and I really hope the classification code update means those windows get a lot smaller and that those athletes doing the right thing are protected from wrongdoings.’

Low outlined the severity of the problem, claiming that it is more important than the anti-doping system debate.  

‘It’s probably as important, if not more than the anti-doping system because the Paralympics are laid on the foundation of classification,’ Low added.

‘If we didn’t have classification we would have one competition and it would not be fair at all. We all have different impairments and they affect us differently and, therefore, we need classifications.

‘If we get that wrong and we don’t have the same group of athletes that can be compared in a fair way, then the sport is not worth watching, because we don’t see equal opportunity and we don’t see equal performance.’

Aussie swimming legend Ellie Cole echoed Low’s thoughts, sharing the mental difficulties that come with concerns about the system. 

Aussie swimming great Ellie Cole also shared her concerns with the system

‘It was really difficult when I was an athlete because you would be racing and you may think that someone you’re racing against might not be in the right category,’ Cole said.

‘But at the same time, most of the athletes don’t have any medical degrees and they don’t really know what’s going on behind the scenes with someone else’s disability, so you’re really only seeing what’s in front of you and making a judgement or an assumption on what’s in front of you.

‘I think for them [the IPC] to be doing it again [renewing the classification code] just shows how much scrutiny the classification system is currently under, particularly as the Paralympic movement has more exposure. I think it’s a really important step to make for fair and equal sportsmanship, and I’m hoping they make some really positive changes.’