The 16 optometrists and ophthalmologists who took part received world class training led by Australian Richard Rawson, ophthalmologist and head of classification at the International Blind Sport Association Oceania and an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) classifier.

Rawson is regarded as an expert in the field of classification for athletes with vision impairment and works across many different sports internationally.

"The involvement of optometrists and ophthalmologists in the classification of visually impaired Para-athletes is vital to increasing participation in Parasport and supporting athlete pathways to medal winning performances," said Marguerite Christophers, classification manager at Paralympics New Zealand.

"We are confident that the specialists trained this weekend will take on the rewarding opportunity to be involved as a classifier and help shape the future growth and develop the profile of Parasport in New Zealand."

Paralympics New Zealand gave vision experts the opportunity to train to become future Paralympic classifiers through two half-day workshops ©Getty Images



Classification is integral to Paralympic sport as it provides a structure for competition and ensures fairness and equitability.

Classification determines who is eligible to compete in a Parasport and it groups the eligible athletes into sport classes according to their activity limitation in a given sport.

Classifiers are regarded as Parasport technical officials and it is their responsibility to determine eligibility and sport class for competition.

Parasports inclusive of athletes with a visual impairment share the same classification system.

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