Special Olympics: Aquatics Sport Center

Aquatics Sport Center

Special Olympics aquatics and swimming is popular world wide. The first-ever Special Olympics World Aquatics Invitational was held in 2012, and athletes with intellectual disabilities world wide are looking forward to their next regional games in 2013. Stay up to date with aquatics news, events and competition results on this page. You'll find links to coaching resources, too. It's all here.

Stories Events Games

The thrill of winning is a universal joy.

Swimming is one of the most popular sports in world. Unlike other sports, swimming is a life skill that is taught, first, to ensure safety and, secondly, for sports and competition purposes. Aquatics covers a great variety of swimming skills, from short sprints to longer events and relays. And the Aquatics coaching guide, see below, gives coaches advice and approaches to successfully coach swimmers of all abilities, from strong, fast competitors to swimmers who find it hard to swim at all.

Coaching Guide

Related Downloads

News and Stories

May 17, 2013 | East Asia: China

Special Olympics East Asia im Coaches &Trainers Training Seminar

By Lafael Liu

From April 13th till 15th , the 3-day Special Olympics East Asia im Coaches & Trainers Training Seminar was held, and it was the first training course that Special Olympics and Michael Phelps Foundation introduced to Special Olympics coaches in the East Asia region.View Story ▼From April 13th till 15th , the 3-day Special Olympics East Asia im Coaches &Trainers Training Seminar has been held at Shanghai Disabled Persons' Sport Training Center. This is also the first training course that Special Olympics and Michael Phelps Foundation introduced to Special Olympics coaches in East Asia region. There were around 30 coaches from China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Hong Kong and Macau attended the seminar. During the seminar, Cathy, Michael Phelp's first swim instructor, and her colleague Gary from Michael Phelps Swim School elaborated on the "im project" theory and the concept behind for all the attendees. Beyond theoretical sessions, the seminar also arranged practical training everyday so as to help coaches better understand the knowledge.

March 18, 2013 | North America: Canada

Lindsey an insperation to all

By Heather Smith

Lindsey was diagnosed as being brain damaged therefore she would never walk, talk or feed herself so we should consider putting her in an institution. Lindsey is a figure skater, bowler, track and field and swimmer.View Story ▼When Lindsey was born we were told she had a hole in her heart and she would be slow developing. At 7 months she was diagnosed as being brain damaged therefore she would never walk, talk or feed herself so we should consider putting her in an institution. Lindsey is a figure skater, bowler, track and field and swimmer. She has gone to 2 National games both for skating and many provincial games for swimming, track and skating. Lindsey has a part-time job at Tim Horton's and is also an athlete ambassador. Because of her involvement both my husband and myself are coaches with Special Olympics Durham.

February 03, 2013 | Asia Pacific: Pakistan

My Life

By jasmine sharif

Without Special Olympics, I wonder what my life would be.View Story ▼My name is Jasmine Sharif, I am a Special Olympics Pakistan athlete and in 2005 I joined Special Olympics Pakistan. In the year 2007, I went to China for the world summer games . My sport was swimming and I won 2 gold medals for my county. Without Special Olympics, I wonder what my life would be. In 2008, I joined ALPS. Due to the hard work, I got selected for the ALPSs conference which was held in 2011. I love Special Olympics Pakistan.

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Upcoming Aquatics Events

Date	Event	Location
May 30 - Jun 2 2013	Missouri Summer Games Join us May 30 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2000 athletes will compete in athletics (Track & Field), aquatics, basketball, bowling, powerlifting and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	Columbia, Missouri UNITED STATES
May 30 - Jun 1 2013	Michigan Summer Games Join us May 30 - June 1 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3500 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, bowling, gymnastics, horseshoes, powerlifting, volleyball and motor activities training program. For more information More DetailsView More	Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, Michigan UNITED STATES
May 30 - Jun 1 2013	New Hampshire Summer Games Join us May 30 - June 1 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 900 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, equestrian, powerlifting and tennis. For more information More DetailsView More	University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire UNITED STATES
May 31 - Jun 2 2013	Kansas Summer Games Join us May 31 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2000 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, tennis and powerlifting. For more information More DetailsView More	Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas UNITED STATES
May 31 - Jun 1 2013	North Dakota Summer Games Join us May 31 - June 1 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 650 athletes will compete in Unified volleyball, aquatics, gymnastics, powerlifting, bocce, and track & field. For more information More DetailsView More	Davies High School Fargo, North Dakota UNITED STATES
May 31 - Jun 2 2013	New Mexico Summer Games Join us May 31 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1200 athletes will compete in athletics, bocce, soccer and unified volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	University of New Mexico Track & Field Stadium Albuquerque, New Mexico UNITED STATES
May 31 - Jun 4 2013	8th Special Olympics Singapore National Games Special Olympics Singapore is hosting 640 athletes from Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines at the 8th Special Olympics Singapore National Games. Athletes will compete in six sports; athletics, badminton, bocce, bowling, football, swimming. Held once every four years,the Games is a competitive multi-sports event for individuals for intellectual disabilities. The Games are open to athletes 8 years and above, competing in divisions according to their abilities. The Games aims to unite the local community through the transformative power of sports and invites everyone to come celebrate the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. For more informationView More	Multi venuesSingapore SINGAPORE
May 31 - Jun 2 2013	North Carolina Summer Games Join us May 31 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1200 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina UNITED STATES
May 31 - Jun 2 2013	Kentucky Summer Games Join us May 31-June 2 during our Summer Games event. Over 1000 athletes will compete in track and field, swimming, bocce, flag football and rhythmic gymnastics. For more information More DetailsView More	Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, Kentucky UNITED STATES
May 31 - Jun 2 2013	Washington Summer Games Join us May 31-June 2 at Joint Base Lewis during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2500 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, basketball, tennis and powerlifting. For more information More DetailsView More	Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington UNITED STATES
Jun 2 - 3 2013	Colorado Summer Games Join us June 2-3 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1100 athletes will compete in track and field, soccer, swimming, gymnastics and powerlifting. For more information More DetailsView More	Grand Junction, Colorado UNITED STATES
Jun 6 - 8 2013	Wisconsin Summer Games Join us June 6-8 at University of Wisconsin during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1800 athletes will compete in aquatics (swimming), athletics (track & field), soccer and powerlifting. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Wisconsin UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Massachusetts Summer Games Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1300 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller skating, tennis and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	Harvard Athletic Complex Boston, Massachusetts UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Vermont Summer Games Join us June 7-9 at University of Vermont during our Summer Games event. Approximately 600 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics (track and field), bocce and softball. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Indiana Summer Games Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2600 athletes will compete in aquatics, bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, powerlifting, track & field and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Connecticut Summer Games Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2400 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, cycling and gymnastics. For more information More DetailsView More	Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Alaska Summer Games Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 300 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, basketball, gymnastics, and powerlifting. For more information More DetailsView More	Anchorage, Alaska UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 8 2013	Delaware Summer Games Join us June 7-8 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 800 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, powerlifting, softball, tennis, MATP and Young Athletes. For more information More DetailsView More	Newark, Delaware UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Maryland Summer Games Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1500 athletes will compete in cheerleading, aquatics, softball, bocce, and athletics. For more information More DetailsView More	Towson, Maryland UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 8 2013	Virginia Summer Games Summer Games, our largest competition, is nothing short of legendary thanks to overwhelming support from thousands of local volunteers who brave the summer heat to assist Special Olympics Virginia athletes each June. Athletes come from all corners of the state to compete in swimming, powerlifting, softball, track & field, bowling and tennis. This event also features our annual Healthy Athletes expo, as well as fan filled stands, thanks to our Volunteer to Cheer program! Summer Games, one of Special Olympic Virginia’s seven state-level competitions, has been at UR since 1983; prior to that, the event was held in Lynchburg. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia UNITED STATES
Jun 8 - 9 2013	Southern California Summer Games More than 1,100 Special Olympics Southern California athletes will show their courage and determination during Summer Games on June 8-9 at Cal State Long Beach. Become a volunteer, or come cheer these superstars on as they hit game-winning baskets, make birdie putts, and swim for the gold. This event is free, and it is open to the general public. The Games will feature our six spring/summer sports (aquatics, basketball, bocce, golf, gymnastics, and track and field). Along with the competitions, you will have fun playing games, listening to live music, and participating in many activities. For more information More Details Kelly Kloepping Email:kkloepping@sosc.org Phone:(562) 522-8554View More	California State University, Long Beach 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, California UNITED STATES
Jun 14 - 16 2013	Illinois Summer Games Join us June 14-16 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3800 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting and soccer. For more information More DetailsView More	Illinois State University Normal, Illinois UNITED STATES
Jun 14 - 16 2013	New York Summer Games Join us June June 14-16 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1000 athletes will compete in athletics (track & field), aquatics, basketball, bowling, powerlifting, gymnastics, tennis and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York UNITED STATES
June 16, 2013	Swiming Competition Join us at Ex Polvorin in San Salvador, El Salvador on 16 June from 8am-1pm for an exciting day of aquatics competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their skill while competing in various swimming events. For more information Olimpiadas Especiales El SalvadorView More	Ex PolvorinSan Salvador EL SALVADOR
Jun 28 - Jan 30 2013	Ohio Summer Games Join us June June 28 - 30 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2600 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics (track and field), bocce, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, power lifting, roller skating, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio UNITED STATES
Jun 28 - 30 2013	Swimming & Open Water Coaches Seminar Join us and support our Special Olympics Program 28-30 June for the Swimming & Open Water Coaches Seminar in Utrecht, Netherlands. Please contact Kester Edwards (contact info below) for event details. For more information Kester Edwards Email:kedwards@specialolympics.org Phone:(202) 824-0366View More	ZeistUtrecht NETHERLANDS
Jun 28 - 30 2013	Northern California Summer Games Join us June 28-30 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 900 athletes will compete in aquatics, bocce, tennis and track & field. For more information More DetailsView More	Davis, California UNITED STATES
Jun 28 - 29 2013	Idaho Summer Games Join us June 28-29 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 900 athletes will compete in aquatics, basketball, cycling, powerlifting and track & field. For more information More DetailsView More	Boise Boise, Idaho UNITED STATES
Aug 28 - Sep 1 2013	Great Britain Summer Games The 9th National Summer Games will be held in the city of Bath from 28 August to 01 September. Over 1,700 athletes will be competing in athletics, badminton, bocce, bowls (short mat carpet bowls), football, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, ten pin bowling, tennis and swimming. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Bath Bath, Claverton Down UNITED KINGDOM
October 25, 2013	Swimming Championship Join us at Serge Alfred Swimming Pool in Beau Basin, Mauritius on 25 October for a day of exciting swimming competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their skill and courage while competing in various swimming events. Please contact Mr. Satya Chytun (contact info below) for event details. For more information Mr. Satya Chytun Email:somaurituisdirector1@gmail.comView More	Serge Alfred Swimming PoolBeau Basin MAURITIUS
November 27, 2013	Swimming Competition Join us in Witbank, South Africa on 27 November for a day of exciting swimming competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their skill and courage while competing in various swimming events. Please contact Mr. Wanga Manyala (contact info below) for event details. For more information Mr. Wanga Manyala Email:wanga@specialolympics.org.zaView More	Witbank, Mpumalanga SOUTH AFRICA
Nov 30 - Dec 7 2013	Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games The inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games will take place in Newcastle, New South Wales in 2013. The event will see Australia welcome more than 1,700 Special Olympics athletes, 600 coaches, 4,000 volunteers, and approximately 200,000 spectators from 25 nations across the Asia Pacific region. Newcastle will offer world class facilities and venues across the range of nine sports to be conducted during the Games – Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Basketball, Football, Badminton, Table Tennis, Cricket and Aquatics as well as venues for the Opening Ceremony and Games social hub. For more information More Details Alex McNeilly Email:alexm@specialolympics.com.auView More	Hunter Stadium 294 Turton Rd, New Lambton NSW 2305 Newcastle, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
Jun 13 - 21 2014	2014 USA National Games The USA National Games be centered in and around Princeton and the Greater Mercer County area. Venues will include Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, and Mercer County Park. The New Jersey Devils have offered The Prudential Center as the venue for the Opening Ceremonies. The National Games will feature nearly 3,500 athletes competing in 14 Olympic-style sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and an estimated 50,000 family, friends and spectators. Non-competitive special events will include the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run™ that will symbolize the start of the competition and Healthy Athletes, a place where the athletes can get vital health screenings. Youth and education events will also be held in conjunction with the Games as young leaders rally around making change for the better of the Special Olympics movement and promoting acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities. For more information More Details Greg Epperson Email:gepperson@specialolympics.org Phone:919-785-0700View More	Several Locations - New Jersey Princeton, New Jersey UNITED STATES

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Aquatics/Swimming Competitions

World Aquatics Invitational 2012

The first Special Olympics World Aquatics Invitational took place in September in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This was the most important sports event in the Special Olympics competition calendar during the second half of 2012.

See the Results

2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Athens, Greece, was the home of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. That year, it was the world’s largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. See results by athlete, delegation and bib number.

See the Results

Related Coaching Resources

How to Get Involved in Special Olympics

Special Olympics sports training, coaching and competitions go on in more than 170 countries around the world. You can get involved by getting in touch with the closest Special Olympics office.

Special Olympics near you»

Made Possible by The Annenberg Foundation

The Special Olympics movement is profoundly grateful for the support of the Annenberg Foundation which has underwritten the production of the coaches’ guides and resources, supporting our global goals for coaches’ excellence.

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