Swimming is one of the most popular sports in the world. Unlike other sports, swimming is a life skill that is taught, first, to ensure safety and, secondly, for sports and competition purposes. Swimming covers a great variety of swimming skills, from short sprints to longer events and relays. And the Swimming coaching guide (below) gives coaches advice and approaches to successfully coach swimmers of all abilities, from strong, fast competitors to swimmers who find it hard to swim at all.

Find a Special Olympics Area program near you to participate. Contact your Area Director if you’re interested in starting this sport in your Area.

Get an overview of the sport of Special Olympics swimming.  View the Swim Fact Sheet

Partnership with the Michael Phelps Foundation

Special Olympics has a partnership with the Michael Phelps Foundation and has appointed the international swimming legend as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador. The Michael Phelps Foundation will expand its signature “IM” with Special Olympics that will bring water safety, recreational aquatic activities, and health, wellness and goal-setting instruction to Special Olympic athletes across the world.

“IM” Program With Michael Phelps Foundation

• About Michael Phelps Foundation and im (PDF)
• Welcome to the im Program (PDF)
• Young Athletes im Program (PDF)
• im Program Guide Lesson Plan Examples (PDF)
• Movie: Introduction to the im Program
• Young Athletes im Program (Video Guide)