Athletes with a Disability - Swimming - Home

Swimmers with disabilities are divided into 14 categories depending on the severity and type of their disability. Many elite swimmers in these categories train twice a day, six days a week. While new technologies in biomechanical, performance analysis, and physiological and therapeutic support, such as those provided by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), are playing more of a role in the training of Paralympic swimmers, an athlete’s motivation, enthusiasm and dedication will ultimately be what helps propel them to the top.

About AIS/APC Swimming

The outstanding results of the Australian swimming team at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics and recent world championships have been widely acknowledged.

In order to build on these successes, the AIS and the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) launched the AIS/APC Swimming program in 2002. The camps-based program has become a finishing school for some of the nation’s top Paralympic swimmers.

The AIS program incorporates disciplines such as strength and conditioning, sports medicine, physiology, psychology and nutrition. Presented by specialists in their field, these components provide the very best care and development of swimmers.

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Australia is one of only two nations to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games

Quick numbers

700 Athlete scholarships are offered annually at the AIS
40 Thousand kilometres were swum by Petria Thomas whilst at the AIS
1 million people visit the AIS each year
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