Para-swimming is a competitive sport for athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments, focusing on swimming events. It has been a part of the Paralympic Games since the 1960 Rome Paralympics. The sport showcases the athletes’ strength, technique, and endurance as they compete in various swimming strokes and distances.
Para Swimming
Overview
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.
Rules & Equipment
Para-swimming competitions follow the rules set by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Swimming Federation (FINA).
- Starting Platforms: Athletes start from the water or starting blocks, depending on their classification and event.
- Swimming Aids: Athletes may use swimming aids such as prosthetics, braces, or tappers, depending on their impairment type and classification.
- Strokes and Techniques: Athletes compete in various swimming strokes, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, as well as individual medley events combining multiple strokes.
Athletes are required to wear a bathing suit that does not aid their speed, buoyancy or endurance.
Swimming caps and goggles are permitted.
Classification
In swimming, athletes are categorized into various sport classes denoted by a prefix “S” or “SB” followed by a number. These prefixes correspond to different strokes:
• S: Includes freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke events.
• SB: Specifically for breaststroke events.
• SM: Pertains to individual medley events, calculated as (3xS + SB)/4 for most classes, with adjustments for certain classes (2S + SB)/3 for S1-4.
Sport Classes S1-S10: Physical Impairment
Athletes with physical impairments are assigned one of ten sport classes (S1-S10), with lower numbers indicating more severe limitations. The allocation of classes is based on the impact of the impairment on swimming performance rather than the impairment itself. Classifiers evaluate functional abilities through a point system and water assessment. Notable class examples include:
• S1 SB1: Severe loss of muscle power or control in legs, arms, and hands, often using a wheelchair.
• S2 SB1: Rely heavily on arm strength due to limited function in hands, trunk, and legs.
• S3 SB2: Include athletes with bilateral amputations or severe coordination issues.
• S10 SB9: Minimal impairments, such as single hand loss or hip movement restrictions.
Sport Classes S/SB11-13: Visual Impairment
Athletes with visual impairments are classified into three classes:
• S/SB11: Very low visual acuity or no light perception.
• S/SB12: Higher visual acuity or visual field less than 5 degrees radius.
• S/SB13: Least severe visual impairment with visual field less than 20 degrees radius.
Safety measures like blackened goggles and the use of a tapper are enforced for S/SB11 athletes.
Sport Class S/SB14: Intellectual Impairment
Athletes in this class exhibit intellectual impairments affecting pattern recognition, sequencing, memory, or reaction time. These impairments impact overall sport performance, leading to distinct swimming characteristics compared to able-bodied elite swimmers.
Each classification ensures fair competition while accommodating diverse impairments, fostering inclusivity in swimming events.