Competitive opportunities exist within the programmes of Special Olympics and also INAS-FID which is the International Organisation through which all people with learning disability can access the Paralympics Programme. However, a number of years ago it was realised that swimmers with Down’s syndrome were being outclassed in competition by other people with learning disabilities who did not have the same physical disabilities that are often associated with Down’s syndrome. For this reason the Down’s Syndrome International Swimming Organisation (DSISO) was created.
This organisation now provides the opportunity to swim at a World Class level through its World Championships held every two years and also keeps World Record information for swimmers with Down’s syndrome. The next World championships, for which 19 countries have already expressed an interest, will be held in Portugal in 2008.
Swimming has long been recognised by parents, teachers and coaches to be a sport at which people with Down’s syndrome can enjoy as a recreational activity and also one in which they can be competitive.
The Down’s Syndrome Support Group Gibraltar (DSSGG) is a member of the DSISO. Our swimming squad presently comprises of 3 swimmers Charles Zammit, Patrick Slater and Nicholas Payas. We are hoping that our squad will expand by 2010 in time for 5th DSISO World Championships. This time round only Charles will compete as the entrance age is 13 and the other two swimmers in our squad are under this age. Our Coach is Mrs Lesley Jackson, an enthusiastic and determined swimming coach with many years of experience in this field.
MacDonald’s Gibraltar have provided t-shirts for the squad and supporters travelling to Albuferia. The money collected on Big Mac Day, 20 Nov 08, has been donated to help pay for the squad to take part and represent Gibraltar in this championship.
