Classification Code review milestone reached at IPC’s Annual Classification Meeting

Over 80 classification representatives from across the Paralympic Movement gathered in Cairo, Egypt, at the 2023 IPC Annual Classification Meeting to discuss proposed changes to the draft Classification Code, exchange practices in classification, and strengthen the collaboration between organisations.  

The meeting served as an opportunity to bring together individuals leading on classification across IPC Member organisations and Recognised International Federations. This year’s edition was held between 28-30 October in Cairo with the support from the Egyptian Paralympic Committee. 

The meeting marked an important milestone within the third and final consultation phase on the review of the IPC Classification Code. The consultation closed on 31 October 2023. The Code Review Team will now focus on analysing stakeholder feedback on the second draft Code and International Standards and prepare one final draft which is envisaged to be put forward for the approval of the IPC General Assembly in 2024.  

Scott Field, the chair of the Code Drafting Team, said: “It is exciting to reach this milestone. Over the past few months of this final consultation phase, we held constructive and engaging dialogue with IPC Member organisations, with classifiers and athletes. It is now time to roll up the sleeves, analyse the feedback received, and prepare a final draft Code and International Standards.  

“We are extremely grateful to all those who engaged with us, provided their thoughts on the draft provisions in the Code and International Standards and shared suggestions on where we can improve. This will help us prepare the best possible document on directing and guiding classification to serve the Movement in the years ahead.” 

Prior to the Annual Classification Meeting, the IPC’s Classification Compliance and Oversight Committee met over two days to develop a compliance and oversight programme for the implementation of the new Code. Subject to the approval of the IPC General Assembly, the new Code is envisaged to come into in 2025. The Committee and IPC management team will support Members with the implementation of the new Code via a compliance programme.  

Jan Burns, chair of the IPC’s Classification Compliance and Oversight Committee, added: “Compliance with the IPC’s Classification Code is a shared responsibility by each member of the IPC, and with the anticipation of the new edition of the Code we are fostering a proactive and collaborative approach to implementing the new Code.” 

Over the three days of the Annual Classification Meeting, the meeting participants discussed items related to the new draft Classification Code, as part of the final consultation phase of this multi-year long review process. In depth discussions took place in working groups format to address stakeholder views and how changes are to be implemented.  

Participants included 31 representatives from the National Paralympic Committees, 42 representatives from the International Federations, International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled, and Recognised International Federations. IPC Classification Compliance and Oversight Committee members were in attendance and took the opportunity to interact with the participants.  

Besides the focused discussions addressed within the Code review process, the meeting featured discussions on preventing, identifying and managing cases of intentional misrepresentation, discussions on compliance timeframes and processes, as well as insights into national and international classification programmes and strategies.  

For more information and updates on the Code review process please visit: Classification Code review (paralympic.org).