Para-swimming

Sports Summary

Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome, Italy in 1960, Para-swimming has been a feature of the Paralympic program.

Para-swimming is open to athletes with a physical, intellectual or vision impairment. The International Swimming Federation’s 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 a vision impairment. No prostheses or assistive devices are permitted in the water.

For more information on Para-swimming Eligibility and How to Get Involved please see the Para-swimming Information Sheet (PDF – 147KB) – updated November 2021.

Events & Disciplines

Athletes can contest the 50m and 100m backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x50m and 4x100m freestyle, 150m and 200m individual medley, and 4x100m medley.

Classification

Para-swimming is open to athletes with an intellectual, physical or vision impairment. Athletes are required to submit medical reports and meet the minimum impairment criteria in order to compete. Eligibility is determined by trained Classifiers.

For more information on Eligible Impairments and Classification please see the Para-swimming Information Sheet (PDF – 147KB) – updated November 2021.

Rules & Equipment

Athletes are required to wear a bathing suit that does not aid their speed, buoyancy or endurance.

Swimming caps and goggles are permitted.

Medal History

Year	Gold	Silver	Bronze	total
2020	8	10	15	33
2016	9	10	10	29
2012	18	7	12	37
2008	9	11	9	29
2004	6	14	15	35
2000	14	15	21	50
1996	16	16	12	44
1992	10	12	13	35
1988	5	12	14	31
1984	20	30	24	74
1980	1	8	2	11
1976	3	5	2	10
1972	1	3	5	9
1968	5	5	1	11
1964	9	2	2	13
1960	2	0	0	2

Contacts

We encourage those wishing to explore Para-swimming to contact their state federation in the first instance. The national federation link below provides information on the national high performance program leading to competing internationally and at the Paralympic Games.

National Federation
	Organisation	Website
	Swimming Australia	swimming.org.au
State Federations
State	Organisation	Website
NSW	Swimming NSW	nsw.swimming.org.au
NT	Swimming NT	nt.swimming.org.au
QLD	Swimming QLD	qld.swimming.org.au
SA	Swimming SA	sa.swimming.org.au
TAS	Swimming TAS	tas.swimming.org.au
VIC	Swimming VIC	vic.swimming.org.au
WA	Swimming WA	wa.swimming.org.au