Sighted guide explained
A sighted guide is a person who guides a person with blindness or vision impairment.
Sports
Paralympic Games
At the Paralympic Games there are various classifications of athletes with a visual impairment.
Rules are according to the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
The sighted guides are such a close and essential part of the competition, that the athlete with a visual impairment and the guide are considered a team, and both athletes are medal candidates.[1]
Winter
At the Winter Paralympics there are three classifications of athletes with a visual impairment:
- B1 (no useful vision)
- B2 (minimal useful vision)
- B3 (some useful vision).[2]
A sighted guide is required for B1 and B2, and optional for B3.
Nordic skiing
The guide can lead, follow, or ski next to the athlete with a visual impairment. The guide assists with voice instruction only. No physical contact allowed.
Alpine skiing
The start must have an adequate space for the guide.[3] [4]
- Combined
- Downhill
- Giant slalom
- Slalom
- Super-G
Summer
Athletics
In athletics the sighted guides can win a medal.[5]
Cycling
Pilot
Equestrian
Football 5-a-side
Triathlon
See also
External links
Notes and References
- https://www.thestar.com/sports/article/779425--visually-impaired-skiers-put-fate-in-guide-s-hands Visually impaired skiers put fate in guide's hands
- http://www.universalsports.com/news/article/newsid=456809.html A look at the Paralympic Games
- http://www.ibsa.es/eng/deportes/alpineskiing/reglamento.htm IBSA Alpine Skiing rules 2005-2009
- https://www.thestar.com/sports/article/779425--visually-impaired-skiers-put-fate-in-guide-s-hands Visually impaired skiers put fate in guide's hands
- https://web.archive.org/web/20120317184215/http://www.insideworldparasport.biz/insideparasport/9218-guides-to-be-awarded-paralympic-gold-medals Exclusive: Guides to be awarded Paralympic medals at London 2012
