Swimming

Athlete Eligibility and Classification

Swimming competition at the Paralympic Games is offered for swimmers with physical disabilities, those who are blind, and those with cognitive disabilities.

Swimmers who compete in Special Olympics events must have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation. They are classified according to a process called divisioning in which athletes are grouped by ability levels for competition. Divisioning is described on the SOI web site (http://www.specialolympics.org). Click on "games and competitions," then choose "general rules" from the drop-down menu, then go to "Section V - Special Olympics Divisioning."

Swimmers who are deaf compete under CISS rules which require a minimum hearing loss of 55 dB in the better ear. Classification procedures and criteria are described on the CISS web site (http://www.ciss.org). Click on "about," then "regulations," then scroll down to Article 1.3 on eligibility.

Events

FINA-recognized swimming events include the 50-100-200-400-800-1500 meter freestyle races; 50-100-200 meter backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly races; 200-400 meter individual medley races; and 4x100 meter freestyle relay, 4x200 meter freestyle relay, and 4x100 medley relay races. Open water races of 5 to 25 kilometers are offered for long distance swimmers.

Playing Area

Competition at the Paralympic Games and Deaflympics is conducted in long course (50m) swimming pools. Competition at the Special Olympics World Games is conducted in either long course (50m) or short course (25y or 25m) pools. Regardless of pool length, swimming lanes are separated by lane ropes and are marked with centered black lines on the bottom of the pool and a black "T" on the end wall of each lane. Swimmers dive or start from starting platforms that are approximately .5m to .75m above the water surface.

Photo from Mind, Body, Spirit: Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Official Souvenir Book (p. 91). Southbank, Victoria: News Custom Publishing.

Rules

The international governing body for swimming is La Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA). Deaf athletes who compete in the Deaflympics and athletes with cognitive disabilities who compete in the Special Olympics World Games follow the FINA rules without exception. Athletes in Paralympic competition follow FINA rules with a few exceptions made by the IPC in consideration of specific disabilities. Web site access to the swimming rules includes:

In Paralympic competition, swimmers with physical disabilities have the option of performing the forward start (dive) from the platform, beside the platform, or in the water. This rule applies for all events, except backstroke and medley relay races where swimmers start in the water facing the end of the pool. In the lower classifications, coaches may assist at the start by helping the swimmer to maintain standing balance or by holding the swimmer's wrist or ankle until the starting signal is given, but they may not propel the swimmer in any way. Swimmers must follow the rules for performing strokes, starts, and turns; however, if a body part is absent or cannot be used it is not judged.

Swimmers who are visually impaired and hard of hearing are allowed to have tappers. For swimmers who are hard of hearing, the tapper is used to signal the beginning of the race. For swimmers with visual impairment, the tapper is used to warn them they are nearing a turn or finish. The tapper is never allowed to have verbal communication with the athlete. All swimmers in the S11 classification must wear opaque goggles.

Photo from The Triumph of the Human Spirit: The Atlanta Paralympic Experience (p. 165). Oakville, Ontario: Disability Today Publishing Group.

Equipment

Swimmers must wear opaque bathing suits. Most swimmers choose to wear swim caps and goggles. S11 swimmers are required to wear opaque goggles during competition. Tappers may be used by athletes with visual impairment and for athletes who are hard of hearing. Flotation devices are not allowed for any classification during competition.

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