The Invictus Games Categorisation System: A framework for adapted sports

Helen Blamey^1,2,, Janet Lawson³, Celina H. Shirazipour⁴

1. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
2. Invictus Games Foundation, London, UK
3. School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada
4. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, California, USA
5. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA

Categorisation (also called classification) systems are a fundamental part of adapted sports. While current systems seek to promote fair participation, they may also conversely prevent individuals experiencing diverse and complex physical and psychological illnesses and injuries from engaging in adapted sports. Drawing on the experiences and perspectives of stakeholders working with the Invictus Games Foundation, this paper describes the Invictus Games categorisation system, an innovative framework for non-elite adapted sport competition that seeks to integrate individuals experiencing these diverse conditions.

We review (a) the development of the categorisation system; (b) the categorisation process; and (c) the training of categorisers. The paper further highlights how these developments were influenced by recent advances in our understanding of the impact of pain-based impairments as well as psychological illnesses and injuries. Additionally, we present critical implications for organisations seeking to develop or refine categorisation systems to expand access to non-elite adapted sport competition. Our aim is for this paper to serve as a practical guide for stakeholders, researchers and practitioners.

The full paper is available here.