Region C Swimming

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

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 – 4X25 Meter, 4X50 Meter, 4X100 Meter Freestyle, 4X25 Meter Medley (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Freestyle

Spectator & Parking Information

IMPORTANT: Metea Valley HS’s parking lot will be busy with incoming students until 7:45am.

PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE OR DROP OFF PRIOR TO 7:45A.

Spectator Updates: All spectators MUST enter through Door 25 and will be asked to sign in and wear a Visitor sticker at all times. Concessions will be available in the spectator viewing area.

Parking Updates: Spectator and coach vehicle parking will be OFFSITE and will be shuttled to Metea Valley HS. The shuttles will begin at 7:30a. The offsite parking location is located at 2950 Bilter Road in Aurora. Agency MINI buses will be allowed to park at Metea Valley HS.

Drop Off: Parents will be able to drop off athletes at Door 25 of Metea Valley High School starting at 7:45a and then MUST park at the offsite location and be shuttled to Metea Valley High School. Any vehicles parked at Metea Valley HS will be subject to being towed.

Concessions & Souvenirs

Concessions and souvenirs will be available for purchase.

Facility Information

Team Area

Teams will report directly to team area in Team Camp Gym.  Please bring your own blankets, chairs, tables, etc.

Bullpen Area

Athletes should report to the bullpen area in the main gym when their race number is called over PA system and on the projector screen.  Athletes will be escorted from the bullpen to “on deck “chairs to the pool by escorts.  All athletes must wear sandals (flip flops, water shoes, etc) and have a towel.  Once they arrive on the pool deck, each athlete will need to put towel, mask & shoes in a waterproof bag (provided by Special Olympics).  Please make sure all personal property is labeled.  After athletes finish the race they will be escorted from the finish area to awards by escort.  

Event Details

Registration

Head coach will check in at registration table in the main gym to pick up team packet.  Please report all scratches you are aware of at that time.  All coaches must have completed the Class A Process to coach at this event. Scratches after registration can be made in Main Gym to Bullpen Area.

Divisioning

• Divisions were created to provide a competitive atmosphere for all athletes and are structured so that every athlete/team in the division has a reasonable chance to win during competition
• Male/Female divisions mean that males are competing with other males of the same age group and females are competing with other females of the same age group
• Open divisions mean that males are competing with other males of any age group and females are competing with other females of any age group
• Combined Open divisions mean that males and females of all age groups are competing against each other.
• As listed in the schedule, divisions were created per Special Olympics Illinois rules:

      For individual sports, divisions should have no more than eight athletes and whenever possible, no less than three.  In team sports, the best practice is to have four team divisions to allow for fair and equitable competition. Do not place more athletes or teams in a division than lanes in the pool or on the track.

8.   Evaluate potential division groupings for competitiveness.  If divisions are not competitive the following adjustments can be made:

1. Regroup age groups by broadening current age groupings:
   1. 8-13, 14-22, 23-39, 40 and over
   2. 8-15, 16-29, 30 and over
   3. 8-15, 16 and over
   4. 8 and over

            or by completely eliminating all age groups creating “open” divisions.  Once age groups are “open” they should be “open” for all divisions in that specific event. 

• At any point in time, genders may be combined to allow for competitive divisions.

At any point in time, the standard divisioning percentage may be expanded to include other athletes, maintaining the goal that there is a reasonable chance that the athlete may win that division.  Expand the percentage only when this creates a competitive division as stated above

• Races may consist of more than one division, but will be awarded separately following each race

Protests, Disqualification

Certified swim officials will be on deck and athletes will be disqualified for incorrect strokes, turns and finishes according to FINA and Special Olympics Rules. Athletes must stay in their lane until all swimmers have completed their race. Even if an athlete finishes without being disqualified, but then attempts to leave the pool by impeding on another swimmer in their assigned lane before they have finished, the athlete will then be disqualified. We will make every effort to inform coaches on deck and /or athlete of DQ’s immediately following and prior to awards presentation.  Protests must be submitted at the results table on the pool deck prior to the distribution of awards.  Protests may only be filed by THE HEAD COACH.  All decisions of the officials and the rules committee are final.  

HONEST EFFORT: At all times athletes are expected to compete to the best of their ability to ensure a quality competition at all levels. Coaches are expected to provide accurate/honest scores of their athlete’s ability.

Rules

Please refer to the Special Olympics rules. To stay consistent with the State Tournament, below are guidelines that we will follow each year regarding coaching on the pool deck.

Pool deck will be open to one coach from each team provided there is adequate space at facility.  Coach will be identified with a designated pass, wristband, etc.  This decision will be made by the tournament director at each competition. 

• Athletes cannot receive physical or verbal assistance from coaches, volunteers or officials.
• Coaches are not allowed to pace and coach swimmers on deck.
• Coaches found impeding the progress of the competition, pacing or coaching athletes will be removed from deck and team will forfeit coach on deck privileges. 
• Assistant starters may be allowed to assist a swimmer during their start if the swimmer has a hearing or vision impairment.
• Athletes with a visual impairment may use a guide swimmer.  Guide swimmer rules are as follows:
  • Must be provided by athlete’s agency.
  • Must be on pool deck.
  • Must stay behind the swimmer at all times.
  • May only be allowed to give verbal instructions regarding direction.
    • Directions are right, left, straight, etc.
  • No coaching may be done by the guide runner

Timing System

All events will be started and timed electronically.  A back up stopwatch time will also be conducted.  We will use the stop watches as the official time. The time listed on the scoreboard will not always accurately reflect an athlete’s time and place. The Place Picking Official and Stopwatches will be utilized to determine final places if needed.

Equipment

Athletes will be provided a wet bag.

Awards

Athletes will be escorted to Main Gym for awards presentation.  Medals will be presented for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place finishers.  Ribbons will be presented for 4^th – 6^th place and a participation ribbon will be awarded to disqualified swimmers

Supporting Documents

2023 Special Olympics Illinois Region C Swimming Final Divisions – 3/15/23

2023 Special Olympics Illinois Region C Swimming Event Order – 3/15/23

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 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 13,000 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.