S9 (classification)
[6] Paralympic S9 swimmers in this class can get water entry distance off the block comparable to Olympic athletes.
Common problems for intact upper limbs for people in this class include rotator cuffs tearing, shoulder impingement, epicondylitis and peripheral nerve entrapment.
[10][11] They have fine motor control on their dominant side of the body, which can present as asymmetry when they are in motion.
[13] Because of the neuromuscular nature of their disability, CP7 and CP8 swimmers have slower start times than other people in their classes.
[3] The integrated classification system used for swimming, where swimmers with CP compete against those with other disabilities, is subject to criticisms has been that the nature of CP is that greater exertion leads to decreased dexterity and fine motor movements.
This puts competitors with CP at a disadvantage when competing against people with amputations who do not lose coordination as a result of exertion.
"[20] In Australia, this class means combined lower plus upper limb functional problems.
"[24] It can also mean in Australia that the athlete is "ambulant with moderately reduced function in one or both lower limbs.
[27] 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 events[28] In the S9 50 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.
[36] Sometimes the health examination may not be done on site for amputees in this class because the nature of the amputation could cause not physically visible alterations to the body.
[37] In Australia, to be classified in this category, athletes contact the Australian Paralympic Committee or their state swimming governing body.
[39] Swimmers who have competed in this classification include Ellie Cole,[40] Jesus Collado[40] and Matthew Cowdrey[40] who all won medals in their class at the 2008 Paralympics.
[40] American swimmers who have been classified by the United States Paralympic Committee as being in this class include Dana Albrycht, Luis Alicea, Hannah Aspden, Cody Bureau, Michael Prout Jr., David Gelfand, Joseph Peppersack, and Staci Perrige.
