S9 (classification)
Encyclopedia
S9, SB8, SM9 are disability swimming classifications used for categorising swimmers based on their level of disability.
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."
. In the classification title, S represents Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly strokes. SB means breaststroke. SM means individual medley. Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the swimmers in this classification as having: "severe weakness in one leg only; Swimmers with very slight coordination problems; Swimmers with one limb loss. Unless there is an underlying medical condition usually all of these athletes will start out of the water."
and the women's world record is held by South Africa's Natalie Du Toit
. In the S9 100 m Freestyle Long Course, the men's world record is held by Australia's Matthew Cowdrey
and the women's world record is held by South Africa's Natalie Du Toit
.
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or their state swimming governing body. 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." American swimmers are assesed by four people: a medical classified, two general classified and a technical classifier.
, Jesus Collado and Matthew Cowdrey
who all won medals in their class at the 2008 Paralympics
.
American swimmers who have been classified by the United States Paralympic Committee as being in this class include Dana Albrycht, Luis Alicea, Hannah Aspden, Joseph Peppersack, and Staci Perrige.
History
The classification was created by the International Paralympic CommitteeInternational Paralympic Committee
The International Paralympic Committee is an international non-profit organisation and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and functions as the international federation for nine sports...
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."
Sport
This classification is for swimmingSwimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
. In the classification title, S represents Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly strokes. SB means breaststroke. SM means individual medley. Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the swimmers in this classification as having: "severe weakness in one leg only; Swimmers with very slight coordination problems; Swimmers with one limb loss. Unless there is an underlying medical condition usually all of these athletes will start out of the water."
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, 100m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke and 200m Individual Medley eventsRecords
In the S9 50 m Freestyle Long Course, the men's world record is held by Australia's Matthew CowdreyMatthew Cowdrey
Matthew John Cowdrey OAM is an Australian swimmer and holder of numerous world records. He lives in South Australia and swims for the Norwood Swimming Club. He has a congenital amputation of his left arm; it stops at the elbow. Cowdrey competed at the 2004 Paralympic Games, 2006 Commonwealth...
and the women's world record is held by South Africa's Natalie Du Toit
Natalie du Toit
Natalie du Toit is a South African swimmer. She is best known for the gold medals she won at the 2004 Paralympic Games as well as the Commonwealth Games. She was one of two Paralympians to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; the other being table tennis player Natalia Partyka...
. In the S9 100 m Freestyle Long Course, the men's world record is held by Australia's Matthew Cowdrey
Matthew Cowdrey
Matthew John Cowdrey OAM is an Australian swimmer and holder of numerous world records. He lives in South Australia and swims for the Norwood Swimming Club. He has a congenital amputation of his left arm; it stops at the elbow. Cowdrey competed at the 2004 Paralympic Games, 2006 Commonwealth...
and the women's world record is held by South Africa's Natalie Du Toit
Natalie du Toit
Natalie du Toit is a South African swimmer. She is best known for the gold medals she won at the 2004 Paralympic Games as well as the Commonwealth Games. She was one of two Paralympians to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; the other being table tennis player Natalia Partyka...
.
Paralympic records
The table below records the fastest ever Parlaympic record in this class for specific events.{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
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Getting classified
In Australia, to be classified in this category, athletes contact the Australian Paralympic CommitteeAustralian Paralympic Committee
The Australian Paralympic Committee is the National Paralympic Committee in Australia for the Paralympic Games movement. It oversees the means by which Australia participates at the Summer Paralympics and the Winter Paralympics.-History:...
or their state swimming governing body. 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." American swimmers are assesed by four people: a medical classified, two general classified and a technical classifier.
Competitors
Swimmers who have competed in this classification include Ellie ColeEllie Cole
Ellie Cole is an elite swimmer and Australian Paralympian. Cole is a triple Paralympic medal-winning swimmer after an incredible debut at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Cole's dream is to one day defeat the ‘unbeatable’ South African Natalie du Toit...
, Jesus Collado and Matthew Cowdrey
Matthew Cowdrey
Matthew John Cowdrey OAM is an Australian swimmer and holder of numerous world records. He lives in South Australia and swims for the Norwood Swimming Club. He has a congenital amputation of his left arm; it stops at the elbow. Cowdrey competed at the 2004 Paralympic Games, 2006 Commonwealth...
who all won medals in their class at the 2008 Paralympics
Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics
The swimming events of the 2008 Summer Paralympics were held in the Beijing National Aquatics Center between September 7 and September 15, 2008. A total of 140 gold medals were expected to be distributed.-Classifications:...
.
American swimmers who have been classified by the United States Paralympic Committee as being in this class include Dana Albrycht, Luis Alicea, Hannah Aspden, Joseph Peppersack, and Staci Perrige.
See also
- Swimming at the Summer ParalympicsSwimming at the Summer ParalympicsSwimming has been contested at every Summer Paralympics. At the first games, the 1960 Paralympics, 62 swimming events were held in distances of 25 and 50 metres, plus a 3×50 metre relay for men. Since then, swimming at the Paralympics has grown to 140 events covering distances from 50 to 400...
- Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics – Men's 100 metre butterfly S9Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics – Men's 100 metre butterfly S9The men's 100 metre butterfly S9 event at the 2008 Paralympic Games took place on September 7, at the Beijing National Aquatics Center.Two heats were held, with six swimmers in the first heat and seven swimmers in the second heat...