Contact Coach Bert Wachlin for more information.

FACT SHEET

The Special Olympics aquatics program has divisions for swimming and diving, and is offered in every US program and in over 130 countries. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are placed in divisions according to ability, age and gender.

Training for local, area, state, regional and national competitions  provides all athletes with opportunities for success. The 1995 Special Olympics World Games hosted 600 aquatics athletes from 134 countries.

Swimming is one of Special Olympics’ original sports and has been included in the World Games since 1968. Individual events are offered for all strokes and relay events mirror those offered in other international swimming competitions. Additionally, walking, assisted and flotation events are offered for athletes of lower ability.

Some renowned star swimmers  who have endorsed and assisted Special Olympics include Mary T. Meagher-Plant, John Naber and Donna de Varona. In addition, Special Olympics has held aquatic demonstrations in World Championships events.

Diving is offered at local, area, state and national levels, and athletes train and compete in the one meter spring board event.

Unified SportsŪ is a part of the Special Olympics aquatics programs. Athletes with and without mental disabilities combine on a relay team, each individual being responsible for different legs of the race. The freestyle Unified SportsŪ relay event was included in Special Olympics 1995 World Games.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules govern all Special Olympics Aquatics competitions. As an international sports program, Special Olympics has created these rules based upon the Federation International de Natacion Amateur (FINA) and National Governing Body (NGB) rules for Aquatics. FINA or NGB rules are employed except when they are in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules apply.

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