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Sports Offered
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Aquatics
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Because of the wide array of events offered, aquatics is appropriate for a range of ages and ability levels. Aquatics competition events are conducted with a variety of strokes. Special Olympics also offers events for lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic aquatics skills. The development of these basic skills are necessary to progress to other competitive events.
Athletes also can participate in Unified Sports® relays. Unified Sports® is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. On a Unified relay, a team would consist of two Special Olympics athletes and two partners.
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender. |
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Aquatics Facts
Aquatics was an event at the first Special Olympics International Games held in Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1968.
At the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Dublin, Ireland, 573 athletes representing 97 Special Olympics Programs competed in aquatics.
Participation in aquatics at Spring Games has grown from 268 athletes in 1995 to 458 athletes in 2005. To learn more about aquatics or Spring Games, contact Pam Bergerson.
Forty Minnesota delegations currently offer their athletes the opportunity to train and compete in aquatics at the area and/or state level. To see the list of delegations participating in aquatics, click here.
In addition to competing in aquatics at Spring Games, athletes can also participate in area competitions in Area 2, Area 3, Area 4, Area 5, Area 7, Area 9, Area 10, Area 11 and Area 12. |
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Special Olympics Minnesota Aquatics Events
50, 100, 200 and 400 Meter Freestyle
50, 100 and 200 Meter Backstroke
50 and 100 Meter Breaststroke
50 and 100 Meter Butterfly
100 Meter Individual Medley
4 x 25 and 4 x 50 Freestyle Relay
4 x 25 Unified Relay
The following aquatics events provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels:
25 Meter Freestyle
25 Meter Breaststroke
25 Meter Backstroke
25 Meter Butterfly
15 Meter Walk
15 and 25 Meter Flotation
15 Meter Assisted Swim
15 Meter Unassisted Swim
Sports Rules
National Governing Body: Fédération Internationale de Natacion Amateur (FINA)
Special Olympics Incorporated: Aquatics Rules (updated January 2008)
Other Resources
Aquatics Participation by Delegation, Area and Level – Use this link to find an aquatics team in your area.
Aquatics Recertification Test
Special Olympics Incorporated Aquatics Coaching Guide
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