Athletics
Athletics is one of the most popular sport enjoyed by people with Cerebral Palsy. Athletics involves a number of events in track, distances range from 60m – 10000m for ambulant and wheelchair athletes. road race distances are 3000m up to a full marathon. Ambulant athletes also compete in cross country events, distances are 3000m and 5000m.
In field, ambulant athletes compete in shot putt, discus, javelin and long jump while wheelchair athletes compete in shot putt, discus, javelin and club events.
The Wheelchair Slalom is open to all wheelchair athletes. The Athlete must negotiate a course of various obstacles as quickly and accurately as possible.
Athletics participants have opportunities to compete in competitions locally, nationally and internationally. All competitions are conducted under the Amateur Athletics Association and some modification are made to the rules for athletes with cerebral palsy. Many recreational participants and elite athletes with cerebral palsy compete in local non-disabled competitions. Performance at sanctioned events will qualify for Cerebral Palsy world records and ranking lists, which are undated each year.
(Taken from Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association CPISRA. www.cpisra.org)
Paralympic Athletics Competition Schedule 2013
Date Event Venue / Details
Saturday April 27th Leinster Games Morton Stadium, Santry.
Thursday May 9th IWAS Series Invitational Event
Saturday May 18th Galway Games Dangan Athletics Track. Junior only.
Saturday June 22nd (tbc) CPSI Limerick Games UL Track. All welcome.
Saturday July 6th Junior National Championships. IWA Sport www.iwasport.com
Saturday July 13th DSE Junior Championships. UK, Juniors only.
Thursday July 18th Athletics IPC World Championships. France- Irish team members.
Saturday August 10th Drogheda Games
Saturday August 24th Laois Games Crettyard- members only.
Saturday August 31st South East Games Waterford IT. In association with CPSI
Saturday September 14th Cork Games Cork IT. All welcome.