Para Triathlon

The rules define nine sport classes: PTWC1-2, PTS2-5 and PTVI1-3. Six is the number of medal events they are grouped into.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · recall

PTWC1 and PTWC2 are the wheelchair-user classes, racing on a handcycle and then a racing wheelchair.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · recall

VI stands for visual impairment; the three PTVI classes run from total blindness (PTVI1) to less severe partial sight (PTVI3).

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · recall

PTS2 is defined as severe impairment, PTS3 significant, PTS4 moderate and PTS5 mild.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · recall

PTWC1 covers the most impaired wheelchair users and PTWC2 the least impaired; both race together for one set of medals.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · recall

Both PTWC classes must ride an arm-powered handcycle in a recumbent position; the tandem belongs to the PTVI classes.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2, 17.14 · recall

The run is done in a three-wheeled racing wheelchair; the day chair is only used to get from pre-transition to transition.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2, 17.15 · recall

PTVI1 includes athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception in either eye up to some light perception.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · applied

One guide is mandatory for all three PTVI classes for the whole race; guide dogs are not allowed at any time.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2, 17.17 · recall

The system is evidence-based: impairments are grouped by the activity limitation they cause in the sport, not by diagnosis alone.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · recall

The six medal events are PTWC, PTS2, PTS3, PTS4, PTS5 and PTVI, because two groups of classes are combined.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.3 · recall

Each of the four PTS classes is its own event with its own podium, because the impairment gap between them is large.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.3 · recall

Under the Interval Start System the less impaired class starts later or has compensation time added to its final time.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · applied

The 2025 table sets +3:00 for PTWC2 men over a sprint triathlon; the women's figure is +3:38.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · recall

Each sport class carries a points value and a team's total may not exceed 20, so strong classes must be balanced by weaker ones.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.21 · recall

Paralympic, world, continental, Para Series and Para Cup races are held over the sprint distance (750 m, 20 km, 5 km).

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · recall

The rules set a two-hour limit for these sprint-distance para championships and series races.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · recall

All para classes may race triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon, but cross and winter formats are open to PTS2-PTS5 only.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · recall

A para duathlon should use at least two waves a minute or more apart, with PTWC1 and PTWC2 in the first one.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · recall

Every team has exactly one PTWC athlete, who may only race the first leg.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.21 · recall

International classification confirms that the athlete meets minimum eligibility and assigns the sport class they race in.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.4 · recall

Athletes attend an international classification appointment with a panel designated by World Triathlon before competing.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.4 · recall

The PI or VI Medical Diagnostics Form, signed by medical personnel, plus a photo and relevant records, is required.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.4 · recall

The athlete's federation submits medical documentation to World Triathlon ahead of time so a provisional class can be assigned.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.4 · applied

World Triathlon studies each request individually and decides whether past results should be modified.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.4 · recall

Two different diagnoses can produce the same limitation in swimming, cycling and running, so fairness depends on the limitation.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.2 · applied

For PTS2-PTS5 the classification process determines whether each athlete may use one personal handler.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

The effective need for prostheses, orthoses or other adaptive equipment is approved during classification evaluation.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.16 · recall

Reclassification after observation means the finishing time is recalculated with the compensation time of the new class.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · applied

The rules route protests about starting order and compensation times through the Protest of Eligibility article.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.5 · recall

Finding a qualified handler is the athlete's responsibility; officials then identify and credential the handler at the briefing.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

PTWC athletes may have up to one personal handler, the same allowance as approved PTS athletes.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

No handlers are allotted to PTVI1-3 because the guide may act as the personal handler.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

Handlers may lift athletes in and out of handcycles and wheelchairs, but anything that propels the athlete forward is forbidden.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

The rules state that any handler action that propels the athlete forward may result in disqualification.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · applied

Handlers stay within two metres of the athlete's spot and need a technical official's permission to leave that zone.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

One personal handler can assist a maximum of one athlete.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

Handlers are registered and credentialed by World Triathlon technical officials at the para triathlon briefing.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.6, 17.7 · recall

A registered handler can only be replaced in exceptional circumstances and after approval by the technical delegate.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.8 · recall

Handlers may repair bikes in transition or at the official wheel station; on course, only a PTVI guide may help repair.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.7 · recall

Red means lift to the wetsuit removal area, yellow means support to walk or run, and green, orange or white means no help.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.10 · recall

Guides wear white caps; PTVI1 athletes wear orange and PTVI2/3 athletes green.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.6, 17.10 · recall

The organiser provides at least 16 swim exit assistants; the technical delegate sets the final number.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.10 · recall

Where a pre-transition area exists, PTWC and PTS athletes may take off their wetsuits there before moving on to T1.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.9 · recall

All PTWC athletes transfer in a day chair, which must have functional brakes; bikes are not allowed from the swim exit.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.9 · recall

Chairs numbered 1-9 and 0 hold the devices, and each athlete leaves theirs at the chair matching the last digit of their number.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.9 · recall

Hopping on one leg is not permitted between pre-transition and T1; a prosthesis or crutches must be used.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.9 · applied

The order from the mount line is PTVI, then PTS5, PTS4, PTS3, PTS2, and PTWC furthest away.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.10 · recall

Each PTWC athlete gets a 4 x 2 m space that must hold the athlete, the handler and all their equipment.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.10 · recall

PTWC athletes may ride the handcycle inside transition; no bikes, tandems or handcycles are allowed from the swim exit.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.10 · recall

The para triathlon swim always starts in the water, which removes the running entry many athletes could not make safely.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

Classes are presented from PTVI1 through to PTWC2, and the PTWC athletes enter the water last.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

Para triathletes are not required to leave the water between laps.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

Prostheses and orthoses count as propulsion devices in the swim, and using one there results in disqualification.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

Approved knee braces are the one exception: they may give neither flotation nor propulsion and are approved in advance.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11, 17.13 · recall

PTWC athletes may use up to three bindings of non-floating material, each at most 10 cm wide, anywhere on the legs.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.13 · recall

For every para swim length from 750 m to 4000 m, the 2025 table makes wetsuits mandatory below 18 °C.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

Wetsuits are not permitted when the water is 24.6 °C or warmer.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

The 2025 table sets 45 minutes for 750 m; an athlete over the limit and more than 100 m from the finish is removed.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

The swim may be cancelled above 32 °C or below 15 °C, with cold air lowering the official water figure further.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.11 · recall

A handcycle is driven through a chainset with hand grips in place of pedals, by the hands, arms and upper body only.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · recall

The rules define the handcycle as an arm-powered, three-wheeled vehicle with a steerable front wheel.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · recall

To guarantee clear vision, the height of the athlete's eyes must be equal to or greater than the height of the crank housing.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · recall

All handcycles must have a mirror, fixed either to the helmet or at the front of the bike, so the athlete can see behind.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · recall

The rules require the feet to be positioned in front of the knees throughout the bike segment.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · recall

PTWC athletes must stop completely at the mount and dismount lines and continue only when the official says "Go".

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · recall

The stop is correct only if the front wheel halts before the line; touching or crossing it earns a time penalty.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · applied

The largest chain ring needs a robust guard covering at least 180 degrees on the side facing the rider.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14 · recall

Protective shields, fairings or other devices that reduce resistance are banned on bicycles, tandems and handcycles.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12, 17.14 · recall

No para bike course may exceed 12% at its steepest section; para run courses are capped at 5%.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

The chair has two large rear wheels and one small front wheel, which must have a brake.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

Any propulsion other than the athlete pushing on the wheels or push-rims results in disqualification; gears and levers are banned.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

The approved bike helmet stays on whenever the athlete is seated in the chair on the run.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

Drafting off a motorbike is forbidden inside a 15 m zone; behind other vehicles the zone is 35 m.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

Blue cards are used to inform athletes of drafting off a motorbike or vehicle, with the drafting penalty applied.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

The overtaking athlete must ensure full clearance of the other chair before cutting across.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · applied

Finish is the moment the centre of the leading wheel's axle reaches the nearer edge of the finish line.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

Only one plain, round hand rim is allowed per large wheel, and no gears or levers may propel the chair.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

The large wheels may not exceed 70 cm with the tyre inflated; the small wheel's limit is 50 cm.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.15 · recall

Athletes must give their lower limbs enough support that they do not drag or touch the ground during the event.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.14, 17.15 · applied

All bikes must be human-powered with arms or legs, never both; a violation means disqualification.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

Running blades are allowed only as long as they are mounted on a prosthesis.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.16 · recall

A prosthesis is permitted on the deficient limb only to balance both legs and allow symmetrical movement.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.16 · recall

Except on handcycles, the rider's position must be supported solely by the pedals, the saddle and the handlebars.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

A thigh support or socket for an above-knee amputation without prosthesis is not treated as an adaptation needing approval.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · applied

A brake splitter is allowed for one upper-limb impairment and is not considered a bike adaptation.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

Bikes and tandems need a brake on each wheel, but both of a handcycle's brakes act on the front wheel.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

Requests go in writing at least a month before the event, with a clear explanation and a minimum of five pictures.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

Grips and prosthetics can be attached to the bike or to the athlete's body, but not to both simultaneously.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

Para triathlon competitions are draft-illegal; winter triathlon, cross duathlon and cross triathlon are the draft-legal exceptions.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.12 · recall

Each athlete must have a guide of the same gender and nationality, both licensed by the same national federation.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

An athlete cannot guide until twelve months after their last elite sprint or standard-distance event.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

With a medical certificate, a guide may be replaced up to 24 hours before the official start and not afterwards.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · applied

The limit is 1.5 m head to head in the swim and 0.5 m in every other segment.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

At the finish the guide must be beside or behind the athlete, still within 0.5 m.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

The swim tether is an elastic rope in a bright or reflective colour, up to 80 cm long without tension.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

The run tether must be non-elastic so it cannot store energy or give the athlete a performance gain.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

The front rider steers and is known as the pilot; PTVI athletes and guides must ride a tandem.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

PTVI1 athletes wear blackout swim goggles until their bike spot in T1, then blackout glasses to the finish.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · recall

Leading contact is allowed 10 m before and after aid stations, sharp turns and other sections named at the briefing.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (18 January 2025), 17.17 · applied