Region C Swimming

COVID Procedures

All participants should self-screen prior to arriving at this event and should remain home if feeling unwell or displaying coronavirus symptoms.

Vaccination is not required to attend in person events.

SOILL will have hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes/spray and other cleaning/sanitizing products on-site.

Special Olympics Illinois has made the decision to not allow spectators at all 2022 SOILL hosted swimming competitions. This decision was made with considerations of all facilities that SOILL uses due to social distancing concerns in the spectator seating space and gym space.

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

Competition Information

Athletes will be called based on their divisions according to the following schedule:

8:00 AM  – Team Registration & Warm Ups begin

8:40 AM- Opening Ceremonies begin

9:00 AM – Competitions begins (Main Gym)

11:00 AM-– Lunch available by team in Team Camp Gym

Event Order

100 M Free

100 M Individual Medley

25 M Free

100 M Breaststroke

50 M Backstroke

25 M Butterfly

25 M Backstroke

200 M Freestyle

50 M Freestyle

25 M Breaststroke

100 M Backstroke

50 M Breaststroke

400M Freestyle

4 X 25 Freestyle

4 X 50 M Freestyle

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
   1. 8-15, 16-29, 30 and over
   1. 8-15, 16 and over
   1. 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.

Spectator Information

significantly high and while it is decreasing it is still very high so we will not allow spectators for the swimming qualifiers.

Equipment

Athletes should bring their own PPE as well as swimming equipment.

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

Athletes winning a Gold medal at the area meet will automatically qualify for the State Summer Games in Normal, June 17-19.

Supporting Documents

2022 Special Olympics Illinois Region C Swimming Results

Please see the attached proof and make sure that all athletes are entered into the correct event and have the correct time. Let the Region C office know if any issues.

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.