Athletes Without Limits is looking for talented swimmers with intellectual disability to represent the US at upcoming national and international swim meets.
As the US member of INAS, Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for US swimmers to compete at the highest levels in their sport. International competitions are already being organized by INAS and the IPC and are run according to FINA rules. Just like in Olympic competition, there are no separate categories by ability level—the top three times in each event win Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Qualified athletes may be able to travel to international competitions with the US delegation and there are new opportunities for Paralympic competition now that a class for intellectual disability has been added at the IPC World Championships and London 2012 Paralympics and other IPC Swimming events.
Athletes must meet the INAS eligibility requirements and complete the eligibility application to be considered and there are often time standards for events. Please review eligibility guidelines and contact us if you know of any athletes who may be interested in competing in or aspiring to compete in national and international elite level competition. We look forward to meeting you!
International: INAS Swimming
The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) offers world championship level swimming events for athletes with intellectual disability.
INAS competitors are an elite group of athletes from around the world making great achievements in swimming. See the world records and rankings on the INAS website to see just how fast world champion athletes with intellectual disability are. We are excited to have two US swimmers among those rankings from the July 2009 trip to Global Games. We look forward to seeing more US swimmers in those rankings in years to come!
Interested US athletes should work with Athletes Without Limits to complete the athlete eligibility process in order to compete in INAS swimming events. Athletes Without Limits will organize trips to INAS swim events based on athlete interest. Please contact us for more information.
Rules:
All INAS swimming competitions are held according to INAS Swimming Specifications and are officiated by the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA). As with all INAS-FID competitions, only the top athletes in each event win; there are no separate divisions by ability level as in Special Olympic events.
Paralympic Swimming
Following the November 2009 vote to re-include athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competition, IPC Swimming is one of the inclusive sports. US swimmers with intellectual disability have the opportunity to qualify to represent the US at the London 2012 Games or other IPC Swimming events such as World Championships. More information will be posted as it becomes available, however the IPC has stated that meeting INAS eligibility criteria (which is managed by Athletes Without Limits in the US) is the first step toward Paralympic classification.
Note: The Paralympic swimming class for athletes with intellectual disability is “14.” The Prefix S to the class denotes the class for Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly (ex: S14); The Prefix SB to the class denotes the class for Breaststroke (e.g.” SB14); The Prefix SM to the class denotes the class for Individual Medley (e.g. SM14).
National: Swimming Opportunities in the US
Athletes Without Limits supports the identification and development of US swimmers with intellectual disability—please contact us if you are interested in learning more about swimming opportunities in the US.
The US Swimming website provides a list of swimming clubs by area. For athletes aged 18 and over the US Masters Swimming website also provides a list of swimming clubs.
For a complete list of US Paralympic Swimming Events which —denoted or not on the event materials— are now open to athletes with intellectual disability (Class S14, SB14, SM14) visit www.usparalympics.org. (Note that event materials may not have been updated to provide details for the new class for athletes with intellectual disability.)
Swimming News & Events
Lea Leads Team USA with Two World Championship Gold Medals at Global Games in Italy
October 10, 2011 Washington, DC - Six elite athletes with intellectual disability represented the United States at the INAS Global Games World Championships in Italy from September 24 - October 3. Nearly 700 athletes from 40 countries competed in swimming, athletics, tennis, basketball, indoor soccer, cycling, and table tennis. The Global Games are a major preparatory competition for the London 2012 Paralympic Games where for the first time since 2000 people with intellectual disability will be compete in swimming, table tennis, and athletics.
read moreGlobal Games World Championships for Para-Athletes with Intellectual Disability Begins in Italy
September 29, 2011 Loano, Italy — The competition for the team of US athletes at the 2011 INAS/IPC Global Games in Liguria Italy began today when swimmers Leslie Cichocki and Sarah Gilbert took to the water at Palasporte, the 50m outdoor competition pool in Loano, Italy.
read moreSwimmers Leslie Cichocki & Sarah Gilbert Head to Italy Thanks to Community Support
Private sponsorships from friends and local businesses keep their Paralympic Dream alive as the two swimmers head to the 2011 INAS/IPC Global Games in Loano, Italy. Swimmers Leslie Cichocki and Sarah Gilbert, the highest ranked swimmers with intellectual disability in the US, spearheaded a local fundraising campaign to help offset their family’s out of pocket expenses for the 2011 Global Games in Italy. The Global Games is an important qualifier for the London 2012 Paralympics and the two represent the best chance for US swimmers to...
read moreUS Athletes Without Limits Head to Italy for Global Games
September 1, 2011 – Athletes Without Limits, a nonprofit dedicated to helping athletes with intellectual disability integrate and accelerate in sport, is proud to announce a strong US National team for the 2011 INAS Global Games. The Games are the world championship for athletes with intellectual disability and a key qualifier in Swimming, Track & Field for London 2012 Paralympic Games. Athletes Without Limits will be leading a team of six athletes to Liguria, Italy, for the prestigious international event that takes place every 4 years...
read moreVideo: Swimmer Sarah Gilbert Featured on Florida News
Florida swimmer Sarah Gilbert is fundraising to help offset trip costs for the 2011 Global Games in Italy. She appeared on First Coast News on August 8 along with one of her swim coaches Justin Heights and her rowing coach Victoria Mattie. (Note, after the sponsor ad, use the slider to get to the interview, which starts at 4:15). She also appeared with swim coach Justin Heights on WJXT and News4Jax.com. Use the link below to watch the full...
read moreSwimmers Leslie Cichocki and Sarah Gilbert Qualify for Global Games
The GTAC Disability Swim meet provided an opportunity for three new Athletes Without Limits swimmers to compete together with physically disabled Paralympic swimmers while trying to achieve qualifying times for the 2011 Global Games World Championships.
2011 Global Games World Championships Italy
September 30- October 4, 2011 - Athletes Without Limits will be taking the US Teams in Cycling, Track & Field, Swimming & Possibly Rowing to the 2011 Global Games in Ligura, Italy. The deadline to register has passed but the event guide provides information on what it takes to qualify for the World Championships in each sport.
read more8th Annual GTAC Paralympic Swim Meet
May 21-22, 2011: The University of Cincinnati, OH. Located in the beautiful Keating Aquatic Center, this event welcomes swimmers of all levels and is sanctioned by US Paralympics. Hotel Reservations by April 20; Register by May 1.
read moreFree USA Swimming Clinic for Disabled Youth (under18)
April 2, 2011: San Diego, CA USA Swimming and the Challenged Athletes Foundation are offering a free swim clinic in San Diego to athletes who are under 18 with physical, vision, hearing, and/or intellectual disabilities as part of a coaching educational project.
read moreMaria D’Andrea and Gail Morning Make Strong Showing at First Paralympic Meet
June 1, 2010: Athletes Without Limits swimmers compete together with physically disabled Paralympic swimmers for the first time at the 2010 GTAC Disability Meet at the University of Cincinnati.
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