We continue to receive queries regarding our new requirements around mandatory medical diagnostic information for athletes. The IPC Classification Code requires us to confirm that athletes have a permanent, verifiable health condition that results in an eligible impairment, as defined in our IWRF Classification Rules. We perform this verification by examining medical diagnostic information submitted by athletes.
To streamline this process, we have created 2 new forms that will need to be completed when submitting the required information.
These forms are:
IWRF Medical Diagnostic Form
IWRF Medical Review Request Form
IWRF Medical Diagnostic Form
This form is required for all New (N) athletes and must be received by the IWRF Head of Classification a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the event where the athlete is to be classified for the first time. This form must be completed by a registered medical doctor, with a specialisation in the athlete’s health condition (where possible). The form must also be accompanied by medical documentation that confirms the presence of the athlete’s health condition. The form provides guidance regarding the types of medical evidence that are acceptable for each impairment type. The form must be completed in English, and any accompanying medical documentation must also be in English or have a verified English translation.
IWRF Medical Review Request Form
This form is required for athletes who have sport class statuses of Confirmed (C), Review (R) or Fixed Review Date (FRD) and wish to be re-classified due to a change in circumstances with respect to their health condition. This may be necessary, for example, if an athlete:
Received treatment which may change their impairment profile (e.g. Botox injections, tendon releases, amputation).
Has an impairment that is progressive and/or has changed to an extent that the athlete most likely does not fit his/her current sport class profile any more.
Has a new additional eligible health condition that has resulted in a permanent change to the athlete’s degree of impairment to an extent that the athlete most likely does not fit his/her current sport class profile anymore.
This form must be received by the IWRF Head of Classification a minimum of 12 weeks prior to the competition where the athlete, if the medical review is accepted, will undergo re-evaluation. The change in impairment must be demonstrated by medical documentation. Any included medical documentation must be in English or be accompanied by a verified English translation. This form also requires endorsement by the athlete’s NMO or NPC. If Medical Review is accepted, the athlete’s sport class status will be changed to Review (R) with immediate effect.
Submission of Medical Information
Submission of medical forms and documentation will be via a secure online system. Emailed information will not be accepted due to the fact that email systems are not considered to be secure, and therefore are not suitable for sending sensitive athlete medical information to the IWRF. Medical Diagnostic Information will be submitted through the IWRF Membership and Licensing System (MALS). A guide for submission of this information will be published at International Wheelchair Rugby Federation : Classification (iwrf.com).
The process for submitting information via MALS is:
- NMO to login to MALS
- Click on the “NMO Licensees” tab
- Identify the athlete that you would like to upload the form/information for
- Under the “actions” column (far right) click the “Upload Documents” button
- Select the document type (Classification) that you are uploading from the drop-down list
- Complete the “File Title” and “Description” boxes
- Select the file to upload
- Click “Upload”
- Email IWRF Head of Classification (gungerer@iwrf.com) to advise that athlete medical diagnostic information has been uploaded via MALS. Please include all athlete names in this email.
- If additional medical diagnostic information is required, or the submitted information is incomplete, further information will be requested via return email.
Retention of Medical Information by the IWRF
The IWRF will retain the submitted medical documentation until the end of the event where the athlete is classified for the first time, or the athlete’s medical review occurs. At the end of the event, the athlete’s Classification Database file will be updated to reflect that the medical documentation received was accepted and met the IWRF’s requirements in terms of confirming that the athlete has an eligible health condition and impairment type. At this time, all submitted documentation will be securely destroyed.
There may be situations where Classification Panels request to see an athlete’s medical diagnostic information in order to assist them in allocating a sport class during an event. With this in mind, the IWRF recommends that athletes retain copies of any medical information submitted during the processes outlined in this article, should they be required again in the future.
We strongly recommend that athletes bring any medical diagnostic information that has been submitted with them when they are being classified, as this information may be useful in assisting Classification Panels in allocating the correct sport class.