S7 (classification)
S7, SB6, SM7 are disability swimming classifications used for categorising swimmers based on their level of disability.
Contents
History
The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee and has roots in a 2003 attempt to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation."[1] In 1997, Against the odds : New Zealand Paralympians said this classification was graded along a gradient, with S1 being the most disabled and S10 being the least disabled.[2]
Sport
This classification is for swimming.[3] In the classification title, S represents Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly strokes. SB means breaststroke. SM means individual medley.[3] Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the swimmers in this classification as having: "full use of their arms and trunk with some leg function; Coordination or weakness problems on the same side of the body; Limb loss of 2 limbs."[3] Swimming classifications are on a gradient, with one being the most severely physically impaired to ten having the least amount of physical disability.[4]
Getting classified
In Australia, to be classified in this category, athletes contact the Australian Paralympic Committee or their state swimming governing body.[5] In the United States, classification is handled by the United States Paralympic Committee on a national level. The classification test has three components: "a bench test, a water test, observation during competition."[6] American swimmers are assessed by four people: a medical classified, two general classified and a technical classifier.[6]
Competitions
For this classification, organisers of the Paralympic Games have the option of including the following events on the Paralympic programme: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke and 200m Individual Medley events.[7]
Records
As of February 2013[update], Great Britain's David Roberts holds the S7 men's world record for the 50 m freestyle long course event, with a time of 00:27.67. The S7 women's world record is held by the American Mallory Weggemann with a time of 00:31.64.[8] In the 400 m freestyle long course event, the S7 men's world record is held by Great Britain's Josef Craig with a time of 4:42.81. The S7 women's world record is held by the Australian Jacqueline Freney in a time of 4:59.02.[9]
Competitors
Swimmers who have competed in this classification include Veronica Almeida,[10] Chantal Boonacker[10] and Kirsten Bruhn[10] who all won medals in their class at the 2008 Paralympics.[10]
American swimmers who have been classified by the United States Paralympic Committee as being in this class include Alexis Allen, Carly Allen, Segun Arigbede and Benjamin Park.[11]
See also
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References
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