The closest equivalents in able-bodied competitions are age classifications in junior sports, and weight divisions in wrestling, boxing, and weightlifting.
The International Paralympic Committee describes him as "one of the country's top speed cyclists - in both disabled and able-bodied competition".
The majority of rules for Paralympic swimming are the same as those for able-bodied competitions.
After the treatment and operation Long resumed swimming and returned to able-bodied competition though by now swimming with just his left arm.
Entry is eligible to athletes who, through physical impairment to the legs or hips are unable to compete in able-bodied competition.
Athletes must have an impairment in the hips or legs which prevents them from competing in able-bodied competition.
Athletes have a physical impairment that prevents them from competing in able-bodied competition but still compete using a "standard bicycle".
He started swimming at age 10, and competed nationally and internationally in able-bodied competition until he was 21.
Some prominent para-archery athletes have competed and won medals in both able-bodied and paralympic competition.
He also participated in able-bodied competition, notably as part of a team that reached the final of the 1979 New South Wales State Fours Championship.