Para-cycling (or paracycling/para cycling) is the sport of cycling adapted for cyclists who have various disabilities. It is governed by the French: [[Union Cycliste Internationale]]|italic=no (UCI). The sport consists of seven different events which include road and track races. The world's elite para-cyclists compete at Track and Road Worlds Championships since 1994, the Commonwealth Games, the Paralympic Games and the World Cup since 2010.[1]
Para-cycling originated in the 1980s, starting with visually impaired riders who competed on a tandem with a sighted partner. In New York 1984 it entered the Summer Paralympic Games, where it consisted of only road races for riders with cerebral palsy.[2] Over the next four Paralympic Games further events were added. In Atlanta 1996 track cycling was included as well as a variety of disabilities in various functional categories. Handcycling was included in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics as an exhibition event.[3]
Para-cycling events consist of the following three road races and five track events:[4]
See main article: Para-cycling classification. Classification of riders consists of three broad groups; visual impairment, cerebral palsy and physical impairment. These are subdivided into 14 functional categories for men and women. Riders are placed in the appropriate category according to their functional ability.
B: blind (tandem) B1-2
C: cycle C1-5
H: handbike H1-5
T: tricycle T1-2