Region I Swimming

What is Swimming?

Swimming, which is considered a lifetime activity, is appropriate for a range of ages and abilities. Competition events are based on a variety of strokes.

As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.

Athletes in Illinois who participate in swimming compete locally in a region qualifier. Gold medal winners from the regions are then eligible to advance to the State Championship held at the Summer Games in Normal in June.

Swimming Events Offered in Illinois

• Backstroke – 25, 50- and 100-meter
• Breaststroke – 25, 50- and 100-meter
• Butterfly – 25, 50- and 100-meter
• Freestyle – 25, 50, 100, 200- and 400-meter
• Individual medley – 100-meter (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle)
• Relays – 4×25 meter, 4×50 meter, 4×100 meter freestyle, 4×25 meter medley (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle)

Competition Information

Athletes competing in the PDM, individual races will start in the morning with traditional and Unified relay races following in the afternoon. All athletes will report to the staging area in the multi-purpose room and escorted down to the pool deck. Once their race is over they will be escorted to the awards area upstairs where all completed divisions will be awarded.

Facility Information

The ARC is on the U of I campus to the north of Memorial Field. The facility is part of the U of I recreation center. Parking is free in the lot to the west of the facility and the entrance will be determined at a later time. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Spectator seating will be upstairs and locker rooms are available on the lower floor by the pool.

Event Details

Registration – Team and volunteer check in – 9-9:30 AM.
Warms up – 9-9:45 AM.
Opening Ceremonies – 9:45 AM.
Competition starts – 10 AM.

Volunteer Information

Please check back closer to the event for more information.

Equipment

Water will be provided, but we encourage athletes to bring their own water bottle. They will also need to bring their own towel, goggles, and shoes that can be worn outside and onto the pool deck. Coaches are suggested to bring chairs/blankets to sit on during breaks.

Awards

Awards will be presented after the completion of each event. If an athlete misses an award their coach may pick up the award. We will not be doing multiple award ceremonies.

Concessions

Lunch and water will be provided for all registered athletes and coaches and all day volunteers.

Supporting Documents

To see a complete list of all State Championship Competitions, click here.

To find out more information about the Knights of Columbus, who support Special Olympics Illinois throughout the year, click here.

Who We Are

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 9,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.

COVID Procedures

Unless a venue has specific COVID protocols in place, Special Olympics Illinois is following Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC COVID protocols and guidelines. Please refer to event specific information or website page (if applicable) to determine if the venue has any specific COVID protocols. 

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible. While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority.  All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines. 

Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information:

https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2-High-Risk-Fact-Sheet-7.9.20.pdf