Rules and Regulations For Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are a necessary piece of equipment for athletes competing in wheelchair racing and track and field events. Many of the wheelchairs tend to be very lightweight, with pneumatic tires, and with the dimensions and features on the wheelchairs clearly specified in the IPC Athletics rules. There are rules for each event regarding the athletes' equipment. The rules are:
Rule 159 Para 1 The wheelchair shall have at least two large wheels and one small wheel.
Rule 159 Para 2 No part of the body of the chair may extend forwards beyond the hub of the front wheel and be wider than the inside of the hubs of the two rear wheels. The maximum height from the ground of the main body of the chair shall be 50 cm.
Rule 159 Para 3 The maximum diameter of the large wheel including the inflated tyre shall not exceed 70 cm. The maximum diameter of the small wheel including the inflated tyre shall not exceed 50 cm.
Rule 159 Para 4 Only one plain, round, hand rim is allowed for each large wheel. This rule may be waived for persons requiring a single arm drive chair, if so stated on their medical and Games identity cards.
Rule 159 Para 5 No mechanical gears or levers shall be allowed, that may be used to propel the chair.
Rule 159 Para 6 Only hand operated, mechanical steering devices will be allowed.
Rule 159 Para 7 In all races of 800 metres or over, the athlete should be able to turn the front wheel(s) manually both to the left and the right.
Rule 159 Para 8 The use of mirrors is not permitted in track or road races.
Rule 159 Para 9 No part of the chair may protrude behind the vertical plane of the back edge of the rear tyres.
Rule 159 Para 10 It will be the responsibility of the competitor to ensure the wheelchair conforms to all the above rules, and no event shall be delayed whilst a competitor makes adjustments to the athletes chair.
Rule 159 Para 11 Chairs will be measured in the Marshalling Area, and may not leave that area before the start of the event. Chairs that have been examined may be liable to re-examination before or after the event by the official in charge of the event.
Rule 159 Para 12 It shall be the responsibility, in the first instance, of the official conducting the event, to rule on the safety of the chair.
Rule 159 Para 13 Athletes must ensure that no part of their lower limbs can fall to the ground or track during the event.
Read more about this topic: Wheelchair Racing
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