Athletics

Person running

Athletics is one of the most widely participated blind and low vision sports internationally, with over 70 nations regularly participating in international competition. Athletics has been a part of the Paralympic Games since the first Games held in 1960 in Rome, Italy. 

Athletes with a vision impairment compete in most track and field events with the exception of hurdles, steeplechase and pole vault. The International Athletic Association Federation (IAAF) rules are followed in their entirety by T13/F13 athletes but some modifications are made for T11/F11 and T12/F12 athletes (please see classification page for more information). These modifications can include guide runners and audible guidance from callers in field and jumping events.  

Interested in ATHLETICS? Check out the Athletics New Zealand website to find a club near you. Or contact Para Lead raylene@athletics.org.nz

Interested in RUNNING? Check out the Achilles New Zealand website to find a club near you.

Practical tips for getting started in Athletics

1. Give athletes the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the area. This may be through detailed description and/or physically moving around the area and allowing them to gauge distances and feel objects or surface texture with their feet or hands (e.g. the length of a long jump runway, the feeling of the take-off board and landing area).

 

2. During a training session it may be useful to allow athletes the opportunity to take part in measuring the length of the throw or jump to help them develop their understanding of distances, and to appreciate improvements in their own performance, and that of their peers.

 

3. Some VI participants will need a sighted guide to support them to take part in athletics. How a guide and VI participant work together will depend on personal preference, level of sight loss and experience. The role of the guide is to support the VI participant to enable them to take part and in doing so keep them as safe as possible.

 

4.  Guides are used during field events to help orientate VI participants to the throwing, jumping or activity area prior to participating. A caller then uses sound to help the athlete orientate themselves whilst performing. A coach/leader could perform these roles if required.