The review, which was undertaken from November 2016 to February 2017 and can be accessed here, sought to ensure that UKA's processes were fully compliant with World Para Athletics regulations and robust in how procedures were understood, documented and consistently followed.

It identifies several methods which could be used for intentional misrepresentation, including athletes with neurological conditions arriving at classification evaluations with prior fatigue.

Other ways highlighted were athletes altering their medical diagnostic form and/or supporting evidence prior to submitting it to UKA, and athletes presenting medical reports from doctors who are sympathetic to the athlete.

"There was wide consensus that the current UKA national classification system could be abused, should an athlete or support personnel be sufficiently motivated, have an understanding of the classification process and have an impairment that lends itself to exaggeration," the report states.

"This issue is not exclusive to athletics but reflected across Paralympic sport.

"Para-athletics is a relatively 'young' sport where records are being broken frequently, sometimes by large margins.

"This makes it difficult to detect abuse based on performance data only.

"In addition, classification itself is a developing discipline.

"There is an ongoing need for vigilance and a regular review, check and challenge of all classification processes to ensure it continues to keep pace with the development of Paralympic sport and to mitigate the risk of exploitation."

The report does, however, go on to state that "although the review found that the national classification system could be exploited, there was no substantive evidence to suggest that this is the case".

The key findings were established following interviews conducted by the four-person review panel - chaired by Paralympic wheelchair racer Anne Wafula-Strike - with a cross-section of individuals that had a direct experience of the UKA classification system.

The panel also included Professor John Brewer of St Mary’s University, British Paralympic Association (BPA) classification manager Iain Gowans and UKA Board member Peter Taylor.

"The panel did find that there was some lack of confidence in the UKA national classification system amongst a small number of non-UKA staff, and some concern that the system is open to exploitation," the report adds.

"However where this was found to be the case, much of the frustration appeared to be due to lack of appreciation of the different responsibilities of the national and international classification systems."

It was also within the review’s terms of reference to identify whether UKA was on course to meet the objective of ensuring every British athlete has a classification fully supported by full medical documentation.

Among the recommendations made by the review were increases in access to independent expertise to support the system, from the appointment of a panel of independent clinicians to support the classification process, as well as an independent oversight committee, separate from UKA, to manage the national protest and appeal process.

It was also recommended that communications around classifications processes were increased in order to provide clarification relating to differing codes, UKA and World Para Athletics, ensuring athletes are fully briefed on the rationale of the class allocated. 

The full report was submitted to the UKA Board for approval on February 28.

The recommendations were accepted in full and are due to be implemented over time by UKA.

It is stated in the report that "a public communications campaign should be launched to educate the media and general public about classification and the processes involved at both national and international level" in advance of the London 2017 World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships.

London will become the first city to stage both the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships and the World Para Athletics Championships in the same year.

The World Para-Athletics Championships are scheduled for July 14 to 23, while the IAAF World Championships are set to take place from August 4 to 13.

"Ahead of the biggest international competition at London 2017 this summer, and heading toward the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, we want to ensure that elite Para-athletics is absolutely fair, transparent and accountable so that Para-athletes have confidence in the processes surrounding classification," Wafula-Strike said.

"As a Paralympian, I am determined that the sport I love so much continues to provide opportunity for all disabled athletes who compete.

"The panel members involved are positive that the recommendations will strengthen the existing classification system and procedures.

"We believe that these recommendations, accepted by the Board of UKA, will mean that they are leading the way in ensuring that Para-athletics, as it continues to evolve and grow, is robust for the rest of this decade and going into the next one."

UKA chair Ed Warner added: "The Board wishes to thank the panel for its work on this review and the thorough manner of its approach.

"We are also indebted to everyone from across Para-athletics in the UK who contributed their views to the panel.

"As chair of UKA, I am satisfied that the current domestic classification system is deemed to be robust and indeed is cited as one that is an exemplar.

"But we do not shy away from the indicated areas for improvement that would further enhance the UKA classification process and will work to ensure that the recommendations of the panel are implemented in full.

"Para-athletics remains a comparatively young sport in which performances are improving rapidly and the nuances of classification are not always well understood, even by those close to the sport.

"The World Para Athletics Championships in London this summer present an opportunity to improve this level of understanding and this review is an important element in that process."

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and World Para Athletics say they will share the report and its recommendations with the IPC Classification Committee and the World Para Athletics Classification Advisory Group.

"Any national athlete who wishes to compete internationally has to be classified by an independent panel who, if need be, can request detailed medical diagnostic information and call upon a third party medical expert to assess the information," an IPC statement reads.

"World Para Athletics also has the ability within its rules to protest an athlete’s classification if they have reason to question it, either as a result of watching a performance or receiving further information.

"The 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code and publication of new improved international standards strengthen the requirements for medical diagnostic information to be used in athlete classification.

"We would like to thank UKA for initiating this review, which aims to strengthen the existing robust classification system and procedures and ensure the body is fully compliant with World Para Athletics rules and regulations and 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code."

In September of last year, BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth rejected claims that the classification system for disabled athletes is being manipulated to boost medal chances.

The build-up to that month’s Rio 2016 Paralympics was marred by concerns that some athletes were being deliberately mismatched.

London 2012 silver medallist Bethany Woodward had earlier claimed that more able-bodied athletes are being wrongly classified to improve medal prospects.

The 24-year-old, who finished runner-up in the 200 metres T37 five years ago in London, spoke out on the issue in The Sunday Times.