8th Annual GTAC Paralympic Swim Meet
May 21-22, 2011
The University of Cincinnati Keating Aquatic Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Athletes Without Limits staff will attend this event to assist and coach athletes with intellectual disability interested in pursuing Paralympic Swimming opportunities. This page has been updated to reflect the information discussed in our March 31 informational conference call.
Host: The Greater Toledo Aquatic Club (International Paralympic Committee (IPC)-Swimming Approved; LCM/National Classification Available)
Competition & Venue: The competition pool is an eight lane, 50 meter pool facility which is completely accessible. Seven lanes will be used for competition and one lane will be used for warm up / warm down during the meet. This long course meters competition shall be governed by the most recent International Paralympic Committee (IPC) swimming technical rules. Heat sheets will be sold. Each swimmer receives a complimentary shirt.
Who Can Participate? Swimmers with any kind of disability are welcome (including athletes with intellectual disability) from the US or abroad. There are no qualification times and FIRST TIME as well as experienced swimmers are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Last year’s meet was very successful and saw many new swimmers come into this Paralympic sport. It is an excellent opportunity for both new and experienced swimmers, and each year, American and World records have been set.
Steps to Register
Download GTAC Registration Packet
Updated for Athletes with Intellectual Disability
- ELIGIBILITY
If you’ve not completed the one-time eligibility application yet, please do so as soon as possible so your times will be official and you can start building your Paralympic “resume.” A copy of the application is included in the GTAC Registration Packet.
- HOTEL RESERVATION BY APRIL 20,2011
You’ll want to reserve your hotel as early as possible by calling the Marriot Kingsgate Conference Hotel at 1-513-487-3800. The last day to get the special rate of $119 per night at the hotel is April 20, 2011. You can always cancel the reservation if things change so better to do this early. - EVENT REGISTRATION BY MAY 1, 2011
If you have access to Hy-Tek entries and want to send your forms directly to GTAC by May 7 using the instructions on the entry form that is fine. If you do not have access to Hytek, you can send all forms to Athletes Without Limits and we will submit them to the race organizers as a team to save each athlete having to pay the $30 extra fee. Send the entry forms and $75 check payable to Athletes Without Limits to our current mailing address.
- MEDICATION
Athletes may be subject to drug testing as at all Paralympic sanctioned events. Athletes taking any mediation that appears on the WADA banned substance list must obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) form prior to the event. For more information refer to our drug testing & medication page and contact us.
Selecting your Events
There will be three timed finals sessions and athletes can swim in up to 4 events per session, See the event registration packet PDF for a list of all events.
- Make sure to enter athletes in at least the 200 Freestyle, 100 Back and 100 Breast, because these are the 3 events they will have for athletes with intellectual disability at the 2012 Paralympics.
- Include current times just so they know which heat to put athletes in — these do not have to be official or documented.
- You can put “Athletes Without Limits” for the team name, or your hometown team, whichever the athlete prefers.
Travel & Accommodation
Arrival: Plan to arrive by Friday afternoon May 20 so you can check in and then meet up at the pool early afternoon/dinner time for a warm-up swim. Note athletes with intellectual disability do not have to make Friday Classification appointments at the meet — these are for athletes with physical disability. We will fly home Sunday late afternoon but departure is at the discretion of each family.
Airport: The nearest airport is Cincinnati (CVG) 15 miles away. The meet host is not responsible for transportation to and from the airport. If you fly you will need to rent a car.
What to Pack: We will try to provide Athletes Without Limits swim caps, but athletes should bring their own best race suit, goggles and bag, etc.
Meet Hotel: Athletes and families should make their own hotel arrangements at the Marriott Kingsgate Conference Hotel, 151 Goodman Drive, Cincinnati OH 45219. 1-513-487-3800. $119/night, Greater Toledo Aquatic Club bloc. The hotel is less than ½ mile from the pool and we were able to walk to the competition and leave the car parked in the paid hotel lot, or pay to park at the Woodside Garage closer to the pool. This is graduation weekend at UC so be sure to reserve rooms before the cut-off for bloc rate: April 20, 2011.
Parking: The Woodside Garage (off Martin Luther King Drive) will be used for parking. The cost is $1 for all day Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, the cost is $3 for the first ½ hour and $1 for each additional ½ hour. There is a drop off area adjacent to the pool. (See map below.) You can also leave your car in the Marriot Garage for a daily flat rate (@20$)
Contacts
Athletes with Intellectual Disability should  contact Athletes Without Limits.
Athletes with other disabilities should refer to the event home page at: www.gtacswim.info.
