T54 (classification)

The class includes people with spinal cord injuries who compete using a wheelchair in track events.

"[3] The International Paralympic Committee defined this classification on their website in July 2016 as, "Athletes have full upper muscle power in the arms and some to full muscle power in the trunk.

Instead of wearing bibs, these numbers are put on the back of the racing chair and the racer.

[5] Because this is a wheelchair class, different rules apply for overtaking with the responsibility lying with the racer coming from behind.

Racers don't use a baton, but instead transfer via touch of the body in the exchange zone.

[5] In wheelchair races, the winner and time is determined by when the center of the front axle goes across the finish line.

This classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee 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.

[8] For wheelchair athletes in this class with spinal cord injuries, they both undergo a medical assessment of muscle strength, range of movement or amputations; they then demonstrate their athletics skills, such as pushing a racing wheelchair.

[14][15] Notable athletics competitors in this class include multiple Paralympic medal winners Chantal Petitclerc (CAN), Kurt Fearnley (AUS), David Weir (GBR) and Tatyana McFadden (USA).

Leo-Pekka Tähti (FIN) is the current world record holder in Men's T54 100m and has won four Paralympic gold medals in this class.