By McKenna Ehrmantraut, Swimming World College Intern.
“The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will showcase the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and celebrate the transformative power of Special Olympics.”
-Beth Knox, President and CEO of USA Special Olympics
This year, the Special Olympics USA Games are being held from July 1-6 in Seattle, Washington. The event will also join the global celebration of Special Olympics 50th Anniversary in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s commitment to those with intellectual disabilities.
The International Olympic Committee oversees the traditional summer and winter Olympic Games, the Paralympics for the physically disabled athletes, and the Special Olympics for those who have an intellectual disabilities. The 2018 Special Olympics include 14 sports with over 4,000 athletes and coaches showcasing their skills and love for athletics. Over 10,000 volunteers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia help to make this event possible.
The Special Olympics are a wonderfully unique competition and truly hold the athletes at the center of every sport.
Photo Courtesy: Special Olympics USA Games
The mission statement of the Games is the following: “The USA Games showcase the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities and the impact of Special Olympics through world-class competition, inspirational experiences, and modeling inclusion for all.”
The Special Olympics Committee recognizes the importance of learning swimming skills saying: “Unlike other sports, swimming is a life skill that is taught first to ensure safety and secondly for sports and competition purposes. It is one of the most popular sports in the world. Swimming covers a great variety of swimming skills, from short sprints to longer events and relays.”
Swimming is one of the most popular events at this year’s Games, featuring over 59 individual and relay events. Athletes can elect to start off of the the blocks, beside the blocks or in the water. They must swim the full distance with no physical assistance and may stand on the pool bottom during freestyle events and relays without being disqualified.
From the moment you walk into the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington, you will be able to feel the passion and enthusiasm from all of the athletes, coaches, friends and families. The athletes have all overcome so many challenges to make it to the Special Olympics, and none of them take one second for granted. Anyone watching can see the joy in these swimmers’ eyes as they dance on the blocks, cheer on their teammates and receive their medals and ribbons on the podium.
Photo Courtesy: Special Olympics USA Games
The stands are packed with enthusiastic family and friends all decked out in matching state T-shirts and waving personalized posters for their athletes. The swimmers at these games demonstrate true sportsmanship as they cheer on people from across the country, giving fist bumps and high fives and wishing each other the best of luck in all of their endeavors both in and out of the pool.
This event is not just about the competition for these swimmers. While they have an intense love of swimming and want to show off their strengths, most of them are also participating to simply have fun and make new friends.
The Special Olympics USA Games help athletes see themselves for their abilities rather than their disabilities. There are swimming programs in every state designed to help those with intellectual disabilities find their calling in the pool.
Volunteers and trained professionals coach swimmers of all ages and abilities both seasonally and year round so they can reach their goal of making it to the Special Olympic Games. You can visit www.specialolympicsusagames.org for more information on the programs in your state.
The schedule of events and results can be found by clicking here.
Wonderful to see coverage on the Special Olympics! Thank you!
So nice to see coverage on these wonderful athletes!
Thanks for sharing – what a great article about such a dedicated group of athletes.
Love to see Special Olympic coverage
Having swam in a meet like this I can attest that it is as fun and competitive as the meets many of us are used to!
HOW DO I GET THE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM AND HOW TO ENTER YOUR CHILD INTO THE PROGRAM. PLEASE ADVISE AT
http://www.specialolympicsusagames.org
Each state is slightly different when it comes to getting involved, but this site gives you a lot of info on what the program is. If you have further questions, click on the “about” and then “contact” link in the top right hand corner of the websites page where someone will help direct you to the proper information.
Christina Devers
Can you get this edition in print?
Angie