Swimming
Sports Summary
Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, swimming has been one of the main sports of the Paralympics. Like the Olympic Games, competitors measure their skills in freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and medley events. Swimming is open to both male and female competitors who have a physical disability, intellectual disability or blindness/visual impairment. Athletes are classified based on their functional ability to perform each stroke. The International Swimming Federation (FINA) rules are followed with a few modifications, such as optional platform or in-water starts for some races, and the use of signals or ‘tappers’ for swimmers with blindness/visual impairment. No prostheses or assistive devices are permitted.
Para-Swimming is governed internationally by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). In Australia, the Australian Paralympic Committee is the National Federation for the sport. Through a mainstreaming Agreement, the APC funds Swimming Australia to deliver the Paralympic Preparation Program.
Events/Disciplines
- Freestyle – 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 4X50m, 4X100m
- Backstroke – 50m, 100m
- Breaststroke – 50m, 100m
- Butterfly – 50m, 100m
- Individual Medley – 150m, 200m
- Medley Relay – 4X100m
Classification
Athletes with a visual impairment are classified into three classes, according to the degree of vision loss: S11 for athletes with no sight to class S13 for legally blind.
Athletes with an intellectual disability compete in the S14 class.
In the case of swimmers with a physical disability, classification is based on several factors ie, muscle strength, movement co-ordination, joint range of movement and/or limb length. The swimmers are also required to perform a practical water session, performing all strokes and accordingly assessed on their ability. The higher the number of the class, the lower the disability, eg, class 1 is for athletes with a severe disability and class 10 for athletes with a minimal disability.
View the Paralympic Education Program Video or below fact sheet for a more detailed explanation of swimming classification.
View the Australian classification masterlist for swimming on the link below.
Australian Swimming Classification Masterlist
These masterlist include all swimmers whose information is on file with Swimming Australia. Information regarding athletes with an international classification has been obtained from the relevant International Federations. Athletes who have been nationally or internationally classified as per International or National Classification Policies and Procedures are automatically included in this database. Information will be updated regularly and compilation of accurate athlete classification data is still ongoing.
Rules & Equipment
Swimming suits
The clothing for swimmers is a bathing suit. It is forbidden for athletes to use anything that may aid the swimmers speed, buoyancy, or endurance.
Other equipment
Swimming caps and protective eye-goggles are permitted. The goggles protect the swimmer's eyes as well as improving their vision in the water.
