Vision Impairments in Paralympic Sport

Learn more about classification within the vision impairment landscape, the Paralympic sports available to athletes with vision impairments, and how to get connected to the appropriate pathways and resources.

  • About Vision Impairment Classification

    Vision Impairment (VI) classification in Paralympic sport is the system used to determine whether an athlete with a vision impairment is eligible to compete and how they are grouped with other athletes to ensure fair competition. The system is governed globally by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), with each sport’s International Federation responsible for implementing sport-specific rules.

    Historically and still commonly used across many sports, athletes are placed into one of three sport classes:

    • B1 – Very low or no vision, from no light perception to inability to recognize shapes.
    • B2 – Severe visual impairment, limited ability to recognize shapes or movement.
    • B3 – Moderate visual impairment, greater visual function but still significantly impaired compared with standard vision.

    Some sports use these classes directly, while others adapt them or combine them into sport-specific classification systems.

  • Example Underlying Health Conditions

    Examples of potential underlying health conditions that may lead to Vision Impairment in Paralympic sport could include:

    • Retinitis Pigmentosa
    • Stargardt Disease
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
    • Optic Atrophy
    • Albanism
    • Congenital Glaucoma

    Having one of these conditions does not automatically make an athlete eligible for Paralympic sport. Eligibility depends on whether the resulting vision level falls within the minimum impairment criteria established by the International Paralympic Committee (for example, thresholds for visual acuity or visual field).

Paralympic Sports for Athletes with Vision Impairments 

Below is a list of Paralympic sports that include a Vision Impairment classification within the Paralympic program, as determined by each sport’s International Federation (IF).

  • Cycling

    Eligible Classes: B

    Athletes with vision impairments compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted pilot in the front position. Events are held in both road and track cycling and rely heavily on coordination, communication, and synchronized effort between the athlete and pilot.

  • Equestrian

    Eligible Classes: Grade V

    Para equestrian features dressage competition, where riders guide their horse through a series of precise movements. Athletes with vision impairments may use callers positioned around the arena to assist with orientation.

  • Goalball

    Eligible Classes: B1, B2, B3 (all athletes wear eye shades)

    Teams of three attempt to roll a ball with bells inside it into the opponent’s goal while defending their own. Players rely on hearing and spatial awareness to track the ball.

  • Judo

    Eligible Classes: J1, J2 (vision impairment sport classes)

    Para judo is an adaptation of Olympic judo for athletes with vision impairments. Matches follow many of the same rules as traditional judo, with athletes attempting to throw, pin, or submit their opponent. To account for vision impairment, athletes begin matches already gripping each other’s judogi (uniform), which removes the need to establish initial contact.

  • Paratriathlon

    Eligible Classes: PTVI (B1, B2, B3)

    Para triathlon is an endurance multisport event adapted for athletes with vision impairments. Competitors complete a swim, a tandem cycling segment with a sighted pilot, and a running segment with a guide runner. Athletes are classified as PTVI based on their level of vision impairment.

  • Rowing

    Eligible Classes: PR3 athletes, including those with vision impairment

    Para rowing events take place over a 2,000-meter course on flat water. Vision-impaired athletes are eligible within the PR3 classification and compete alongside athletes with certain physical impairments in crew boats that require strong endurance, rhythm, and teamwork.

  • Soccer 5-a-side (Blind Soccer)

    Eligible Classes: B1

    Blind football is a 5-a-side adaptation of soccer designed for athletes with the highest level of vision impairment. All outfield players are B1 and wear eye shades to ensure fairness. The ball contains a noise-making device so players can track it by sound, while guides help direct athletes during play.

  • Sport Climbing

    Eligible Classes: B1, B2, B3 (often grouped into B categories depending on competition)

    Para climbing features athletes ascending indoor climbing routes using strength, technique, and problem-solving skills. Vision-impaired athletes may receive verbal guidance from a coach or guide on the ground to help navigate holds and route sequences.

  • Swimming

    Eligible Classes: S/SB/SM11, S/SB/SM12, S/SB/SM13

    Para swimming includes all four competitive strokes and individual medley events. Athletes with the most severe vision impairment (S11) wear blackened goggles and may use “tappers”, assistants who signal when the swimmer approaches the wall.

  • Track and Field

    Eligible Classes: T/F11, T/F12, T/F13

    Para track and field (athletics) includes a wide range of track and field events such as sprints, distance races, and throws. Athletes with greater vision impairment (T11) typically compete with a guide runner, while T12 and T13 athletes may compete with or without guides depending on their vision level.

  • Alpine Skiing

    Eligible Classes: B1, B2, B3, and B4

    Athletes ski with a sighted guide who provides directions through voice commands or radio headsets. Events include downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and combined.

    *Winter Paralympic sport

  • Nordic Skiing

    Eligible Classes: B1, B2, B3

    Para Nordic skiing includes cross-country skiing and biathlon for athletes with vision impairments. Athletes ski with sighted guides who provide real-time verbal directions and pacing cues. In biathlon events, vision-impaired athletes use acoustic rifles that convert aiming into sound signals, allowing them to accurately target while skiing.

    *Winter Paralympic sport

Next Steps 

  • Get Connected

    Complete our Para Athlete Questionnaire to get connected with the Paralympic sport you are most interested in. Once submitted, the Paralympic Pathways team will review your responses and connect you with the appropriate Paralympic sport program.

    Get Connected, opens in a new tab

  • Begin Paperwork

    Begin working on your national Vision Impairment Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF) for Paralympic sport. This form must be completed by a registered ophthalmologist. Once completed, the athlete’s documentation will be reviewed by nationally trained vision impairment (VI) classifiers, ophthalmologists who assess the medical information and determine eligibility and assign a sport class, if appropriate.

    National Vision Impairment MDF, opens in a new tab

  • Questions?

    Reach out to the Paralympic Pathways team with any questions or for additional information about Paralympic sports and the vision impairment landscape. The team can guide you on classification, sport eligibility, and connecting with the right programs.

    Reach Out Today!, opens in a new tab