Raza point score system

The Raza Points System is a method in Paralympic athletics field competitions for comparing throws or jumps by athletes of differing levels of disability. In events where athletes of multiple different classifications compete, performances are converted to point scores by a formula which accounts for the athletes' classifications. This means that a more disabled athlete may beat a less disabled competitor with a slightly shorter throw or jump.

Formula

The formula is a Gompertz function:

${\text{points}}=q=ae^{-e^{b-cp}}$

Where $p$ is the performance in metres, and $a$, $b$, and $c$ are constants. $b$ varies between events (with men's and women's events of the same discipline having different values). Differing values of $c$ distinguish the different classifications for each event. Presently, $a$ (the maximum possible score) is 1200 points in all cases. These constants are reviewed by the International Paralympic Committee annually.. The constants are set such that the world's best athletes will achieve scores of around 1000 points.

The Raza Points System is designed to be reversible, such that an athlete can know the performance ($p$) they require for a particular point score ($q$). The reversed form of the formula is:

${\text{performance}}=p={\frac {b-\ln {\left(\ln {\left({\frac {a}{q}}\right)}\right)}}{c}}$

History

The Raza Points System replaced a system used prior to 2010 which based its calculation on the current World Record and top performances at the most recent Paralympic Games, and World Championships. This system had the disadvantage of discouraging top athletes from setting world records, as this would effectively disadvantage them in future events.

The Raza Points System was developed by Masoom Raza, who was hired by UK Athletics to aid them in evaluating potential athletes.

The use of an outdated version of the system resulted in medals being initially incorrectly awarded at the F35/36 Women's discus at the 2012 Paralympics.