Classification is the basis of any Paralympic sport, it determines which athletes are eligible to participate and how para athletes are grouped together to compete in the competition.
Eliana Mutchnik was the educator driving the Americas Classification Workshop, which took place on the 22nd June. Beyond her role as an experienced World Rowing International Classifier Eliana mentions the importance of this type of capacity building in para rowing “I feel so happy to have contributed to the development of para rowing in the Americas. Classification knowledge is a core component to build capacity for coaches working with Para Rowing. From early on coaches will have a broader set of knowledge to stimulate and maximise the motor potential of the athletes during training.”
10 participants from five South America countries were positive to the course learnings as it allowed for further reflection and shifted their perspective in relation to the work they can do with their athletes.
Eliana highlights that “the equity paradigm is another important factor to be understood and determinant for those who are starting in the Paralympic movement. In the classification courses we have a great opportunity to demystify this issue and help those who are working daily with people with impairments. For this theme the LEGO methodology (LSP) was used, facilitating the construction of thinking, communication and problem solving.”
This important activity, hosted in the Lagoa Olympic & Paralympic Venue was possible due to the cooperation of the Brazilian Rowing Confederation and Brazilian National Paralympic Committee. World Rowing is thankful to all partners, staff and volunteers involved
Photo credit: Satiro Sodré