Classifications
Athletes are allocated a classification for each event based upon their disability to allow fairer competition between athletes of similar ability. The classifications for swimming are:
- Visual impairment
- S11-S13
- Other disability
- S1-S10 (Freestyle, backstroke and butterfly)
- SB1-SB9 (breaststroke)
- SM1-SM10 (individual medley)
Classifications run from S1 (severely disabled) to S10 (minimally disabled) for athletes with physical disabilities, and S11 (totally blind) to S13 (legally blind) for visually impaired athletes. Blind athletes must use blackened goggles.
Read more about this topic: Swimming At The 2008 Summer Paralympics