TEAMS AND COMPETITIONS

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COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES

For information regarding All Schools or State Championships and National Championships, please contact your State Member Association.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

My favourite/best event is not currently offered at the BME’s for my classification – is it possible/likely that it will be added to future BME’s?

World Para Athletics do not include every event/class on the BME program, due to time, depth of event/competitors and team sizes. As the Paralympic Movement continues to grow, we are seeing fewer changes to the events/classes offered at the BME’s. Whilst it is possible that events/classes will be added to/removed from the BME program, Athletics Australia will only invest in events/classes that we know to be on the current BME program.

Will Athletics Australia invest in me in anticipation of my class/event being offered?

World Para Athletics do not include every event/class on the BME program, due to time, depth of event/competitors and team sizes. As the Paralympic Movement continues to grow, we are seeing fewer changes to the events/classes offered at the BME’s. Whilst it is possible that events/classes will be added to/removed from the BME program, Athletics Australia will only invest in events/classes that we know to be on the current BME program.

My event is on the WPA Championships program but not the Paralympic Program. Can I still be included in the Paralympic Pathway Activities, Programs and Teams?

Unlike the Paralympic Games which is a multi-sport event with a quota system to manage team size, the WPA Championships is a single sport event without a limit to the number of athletes that attend. This factor allows the WPA Championships to offer additional events that are not included in the Paralympic Games schedule. 

Unless you have clear Gold Medal ability at a World-Championship-only event, you will not be considered for NASS. NASS support will be prioritized toward Paralympic event groups.

If you have demonstrated potential to medal in a Paralympic discipline there may be support to transition into a Paralympic Pathway event.

Why are the Tokyo 2020 Australia nomination policy performance standards so different to the IPC Minimum Entry Standards?

The IPC Minimum Entry Standards are created to allow as many Nations to compete in a Championship or Games. The AA “A” and AA “B” standards are designed to prioritise a team that is capable of winning medals.

Medals at the WPA Championships and Paralympic Games are becoming increasingly hard to get. We are funded to win medals and our aim is to remain one of the top 5 Paralympic Nations and top 5 World Para Athletics Championship Nations.

Can I expect the Paris 2024 Australian nomination policy performance standards to be the same as the Tokyo 2020 performance standards?

No – as the Paralympic movement gathers momentum, the performances required to win a Paralympic medal continue to improve. Performance standards are created for each BME, to reflect the progression of the event and the performance required to medal at that BME. You can expect the Paris 2024 standards to be slightly harder.

I am the national record holder/national champion for an event in my class, but I have not been considered for any activities, programs or teams. Why is that?

There are many para athletics classes that have very few representatives in Australia. Whilst your performances and achievements are celebrated and acknowledged, results will only be considered relative to performances internationally.

As Australians competing on the world stage, we need to be comparing ourselves to the rest of the world, not the rest of Australia. It is the potential to win a Paralympic or World Championship medal which is the primary focus of comparing results.

I am the national record holder for an event in my class, but the standards for my event in the nomination policy are well above those performances. Why is that?

There are many para athletics classes that have very few representatives in Australia. Whilst your performances and achievements are celebrated and acknowledged, results will only be considered relative to performances internationally.

As Australians competing on the world stage, we need to be comparing ourselves to the rest of the world, not the rest of Australia. It is the potential to win a Paralympic or World Championship medal which is the primary focus of comparing results.

Does my placing at the National Championships affect my ability to be selected to represent Australia at the Benchmark Events?

No – unlike the able-bodied nomination policies the para athletics nominations policy does not require athletes to place at national championships to be considered for selection. However, to be eligible for selection to a BME Team, athletes must compete in the open age group at the AA National Championships.

Competing at the Australian National Championships is an important part of an athletes journey and a great showcase for up and coming athletes. Multiclass scoring at Nationals means Placings are not relevant to medal potential at BME’s.

Am I too young or too old to compete at a major BME’s in para athletics?

An athlete must be 14 by 31 December in the year of competition to compete at a BME. There is no upper age limit.

Why is there a limited Para Athletics Program at the Commonwealth Games?

Commonwealth Games para athletics events are considered based on the depth of eligible athletes and nations. The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee in consultation with WPA work to ensure a high-level field with as many different nations as possible. Many nations that compete at the World Championships or Paralympics are ineligible to compete at the Commonwealth Games and therefore there is a reduced number of para athletes who can make up an elite field.