More and more athletes with a disability are participating in track and field, an increased number of coaches are elevating their knowledge of Para Athletics, and there is an increase worldwide of integrated meets.
Para Athletic track and field competition is open to male and female athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual disabilities. Para Athletics encompasses a diverse array of running, racing, jumping, throwing, and combined events dependent on disability classification. Competition can be casual and fun, or amore focused on results and advancing to the next level.
Para Athletics classification is a system to determine which athletes with disabilities may compete against each other in Para Athletics events. Classification is intended to group together athletes with similar levels of physical ability to allow fair competition.
Visit this Para Athletics resources list compiled by David Greig of ParaSport Spokane. The list includes para programs in Oregon and Washington, experienced coaches, para officials, para equipment resources, and much, much more.
**Para Certified Officials.****Follow this link**to view a list of 25 Para meets where the Para Officials are evaluated. You must work one or more of this meets to advance from the Apprentice level to Association level and beyond.
Para News U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Program Joins USA Track & Field
The 2025 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Championships will be held in Eugene, Oregon, and will serve as the primary selection event for the 2025 World Championships.
USATF Oregon Para Athletics Chair is Phil Sutton. Contact him at paraathletics@oregon.usatf.org