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Athlete Eligibility

Understanding eligibility, classification, and the application process

Intellectual impairment explained

2-3% of the world’s population have an intellectual impairment and increasing*. Virtus is on a mission to build an inclusive world for the c.200m people worldwide who have an intellectual impairment*.

An intellectual impairment is caused by the way the brain develops either before birth or in early childhood. It is a lifelong impairment and usually has a significant impact on a person’s life. Sometimes it is caused by a genetic or inherited condition, by complications during pregnancy or childbirth, or by a childhood illness. Often though, the cause is not known.

An intellectual impairment is not a mental illness, and should not be confused with conditions such as dyslexia or mental health. Learning disability/Specific learning disorder (SLD) does not fall under intellectual impairment.

People with an intellectual impairment find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate. Many will find it hard to find a sports club, to enjoy organised sport or to find a coach who understand their support needs. Too often, sports organisations are simply not accessible, and do not encourage people with an intellectual impairment to get involved.

We believe that, with the right support and coaching, athletes can achieve their potential. Virtus provides an opportunity to compete at an international level, including a pathway to the Paralympic Games.

* Source: WHO Report on Disability 2011, which estimates the number of people worldwide with an intellectual impairment is between 178-256m people.

Eligibility and Classification explained

Eligibility explained

For athletes with an intellectual impairment, Eligibility and Classification are essential for fair competition in para sport.

Eligibility is the first stage any athlete with an intellectual impairment must go through to compete. Eligibility ensures the athlete has a minimum eligible impairment in line with the IPC Classification Code. It is a process managed worldwide by Virtus.

Eligibility is a process an athlete must complete in order to compete in Virtus competitions. Eligibility alone does not guarantee participation of an athlete in Paralympic events.

Eligibility is a process managed by Virtus and its member nations. In India the Virtus Member Nation is Sivus India. Sivus India manages the Eligibility procedure. Sivus India follows the Virtus Eligibility guidelines and criteria to ensure there is no discrepancy between National and International Eligibility.

The process for International Eligibility takes 30 to 90 days by Virtus. As mentioned, the process is solely managed by Virtus and is at the discretion of Virtus. The time taken to process an application and the outcome of an application is at the discretion of Virtus and it can not be influenced.

Classification explained

Classification is the second stage an athlete with an intellectual impairment must go through to compete in Paralympic events.

Classification establishes whether the impairment has an impact on sports performance and is a process managed by the International Federation for the sport such as World Para Swimming, World Para Athletics, etc.

As mentioned above, Classification is a process solely managed by the International Federation for the sport and is offered at International Paralympic events.

For Classification, an athlete must contact their respective State Paralympic Association and Paralympic Committee of India. An athlete has to contact the Paralympic Committee of India to apply for SDMS number and IPC licence, after the Eligibility procedure is completed.

Eligible Groups

Intellectual impairment is a global (or umbrella) term for a range of cognitive and developmental conditions. There are three eligible groups for Virtus competition:

II1 — Athletes with an intellectual disability

This is the original eligibility group for athletes with disability and is included (in some sports) in the Paralympic Games. Athletes compete in swimming, athletics and table tennis in S14, T/F20 and class 11 respectively.

Based upon the WHO ICD-11 6A00 definition, the Virtus Eligibility Criteria for athletes with an intellectual disability is:

  1. Significant impairment in intellectual functioning which is defined as a Full-Scale IQ score of 75 or lower, and;
  2. Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This is defined as performance that is at least 2 standard deviations below the mean of, either:
    • One of the following 3 types of adaptive behaviour: conceptual, social, or practical skills
    • An overall score on a standardised measure of conceptual, social and practical skills, OR
    • In nations where standardised tests are not available, diagnosis can be made by clinical judgement
  3. Intellectual disability must be evident during the developmental period, which is from conception to before 22 years of age

Athletes must meet all 3 elements of the criteria to be eligible.

II2 — Athletes with intellectual disability and significant additional impairment

It is very common for people with intellectual disability to also have physical and/or sensory impairments. The II2 was introduced to reflect the variety of impairments that can accompany an intellectual disability and ensure fairer competition.

Athletes will be eligible for II2 if it can be demonstrated that they have significant functional impairment in addition to an intellectual disability. That is:

  1. A formal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 or Translocation Down Syndrome, OR
  2. Have a diagnosed intellectual disability (as defined by the II1 criteria) AND meet the minimum criteria for additional impairment as defined by the Virtus FAST Assessment with supporting medical evidence.

II3 — Athletes with autism

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by WHO as a group of complex brain development disorders. Around 60-70 per cent of children diagnosed with autism are also diagnosed with intellectual impairment. This group was developed by Virtus to provide life-changing opportunities.

The eligibility criteria for II3 is:

A formal diagnosis of autism (ASD) carried out by a qualified practitioner using accepted diagnostic techniques.

Virtus will be monitoring and evaluating the new eligibility groups over time to refine and develop the criteria. It reserves the right to amend or remove the eligibility criteria at any time.

Applying for Eligibility

The athlete or the athlete’s representative will have to create an athlete profile in the portal and follow the instructions to apply for athlete eligibility.

Important deadlines:

  • New applications for national eligibility should be submitted at least 4 weeks before the final entry deadline of an event.
  • New applications for international eligibility should be submitted at least 12 weeks before the final entry deadline of an event.

Sivus India submits the application to Virtus. Once applied, Sivus India does not have a role in the process. If additional information is requested by Virtus, the same is to be provided by the athlete. Sivus India cannot influence the time taken to process an application.

Virtus does not conduct a physical examination of the athlete. Physical classification is administered by the International Paralympic Committee.

Applying for Classification

Classification is a process managed by the International Paralympic Committee. For SDMS number, IPC licence and information regarding classification, kindly contact your respective State Paralympic Association or the Paralympic Committee of India — NPC India.

Evidential Documents

The information below is as per the Virtus Eligibility Guidelines.

A qualified psychologist should make this assessment, taking into consideration the three criteria. It is essential that they come to a stated diagnostic clinical decision.

IQ Assessment

Significant impairment in intellectual functioning (IQ=75 and below) must be assessed using an internationally recognised IQ test. Virtus recognises:

  • Wechsler Intelligence Scales — WISC (ages 6-16) and WAIS (ages 16-90). Note: WASI is not accepted.
  • Binet Kamat Test (for ages 2+), MISIC
  • Raven Progressive Matrices. Note: CPM is not accepted.

Adaptive Behaviour

Significant limitations must be assessed using a standardised measure norm-referenced on the general population, e.g. Vineland Social Maturity Scale. Assessment should cover communication, self-care, self-direction, social/interpersonal skills.

Age of Onset

If the athlete is 22 or over, Age of Onset must be demonstrated by a full developmental history including education and family background, together with any previous IQ assessment and medical/educational reports undertaken before age 22.

Assessment Report Requirements

The testing psychologist must provide a report that is no more than 5 years old and:

  • Is presented on formal letter-headed paper with psychologist’s name, qualifications, and contact details
  • Is typed (no handwritten reports)
  • States when and where the assessment was done
  • States the name and version of the IQ test used
  • Includes athlete’s background and developmental history
  • Includes detailed analysis of IQ and Adaptive Behaviour findings
  • Includes a clear and unequivocal diagnosis of intellectual disability

There are two routes to apply for II2:

Route 1 — Trisomy/Translocation Down Syndrome

  • A copy of blood test results (cytogenetic analysis) confirming Trisomy 21 or Translocation Down Syndrome, based on a minimum of 20 cells
  • Evidence regarding AAI should also be submitted
  • IQ or Adaptive Behaviour tests are NOT required for this route

Route 2 — FAST Assessment (all other athletes including Mosaic Down Syndrome)

Athletes must already hold or also apply for II1 eligibility. Submit:

  • An II1 application (unless already held)
  • A completed Virtus FAST Assessment form with overall score
  • Brief description of main additional impairments
  • Detailed medical supporting documentation
  • Details of best performance in sport/event

Athletes who meet II2 FAST criteria will initially be given provisional eligibility. Full eligibility only after observation in competition.

A formal diagnosis of autism (ASD) carried out by a qualified practitioner using accepted diagnostic techniques such as ISAA or other approved tools.

Role of Sivus India

Sivus India follows the Virtus Eligibility procedure. Athletes’ documents are collected as per the Virtus guidelines and submitted to Virtus. Sivus India does not have any role in the time taken to process an application nor in the decision taken with respect to the application.

In the best interest of athletes, Sivus India ensures that the documents submitted are as per the Virtus guidelines. Any deviation from the guidelines will result in unintentional delays in processing the application.

As applications for Virtus eligibility cannot be processed within the deadline for National events, National Eligibility was introduced with a processing time of 2 weeks to 4 weeks to ensure that only eligible athletes participate in National events. For National Eligibility, all documents are to be as per the Virtus guidelines.

Sivus India does not administer any psychological assessments (IQ and Adaptive behaviour).