The Bill Keating Jr Memorial Para Open Series will take place May 8-9, 2021 at the Powel Crosley Jr YMCA in Cincinnati, Ohio. See the U.S. Paralympics Swimming web calendar for entry details. This annual event encourages swimmers who are new to Paralympic swimming to enter. Swimming is one of three Paralympic sports with opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment. U.S. Paralympics partners with Athletes Without Limits to determine whether athletes are eligible to compete as an athlete with intellectual impairment.
Athletes Without Limits confirms eligibility for Paralympic events but does not organize coaching or team trips to Paralympic events like we do for Virtus Events. Once initial eligibility is confirmed, athletes and their coaches and/or families should use the registration links provided to enter and make arrangements directly with the event.
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ATHLETES WITH INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT COMPETING AT PARALYMPIC EVENTS:
To enter U.S. Paralympic hosted meets as a Paralympic Class S14 Swimmer with Intellectual Impairment, athletes must first be confirmed as eligible by Athletes Without Limits, the US Member of Virtus (formerly called Inas). This is done in lieu of a National Classification appointment made at the event (those appointments are used to classify new athletes with physical or visual impairment.)
For athletes with intellectual impairment, Para “Open” events require a minimum of National level Virtus II1 eligibility to be completed with Athletes Without Limits. Some events (Can Ams, World Series & Paralympic Trials) require qualification times have been met and International Virtus II1 Eligibility with Athletes Without Limits.) Refer to each meet packet provided for more information on qualifying to enter.
Information about “IPC Licensing & International Classification Appointments” you may see in some meet packets are only scheduled for swimmers who achieved a Paralympic Team Emerging Time Standard in at least one event.
Virtus Groups Eligible for Paralympics:
Virtus II1: Intellectual Disability:
To compete in Paralympics athletes must meet the eligibility criteria for the Virtus II1 Group for Intellectual Disability (IQ 75 or lower, Significant Adaptive, Onset before age 18).
Virtus II2: Intellectual Disability with Significant Additional Impairment
Athletes with Down Syndrome or other significant additional impairments (who may compete separately at AWL & Virtus events in our Virtus II2 Group) are eligible to compete as an S14 swimmer (together with II1 athletes) as long as they provide the required IQ and Adaptive scores with their eligibility application.
Virtus Groups Not Eligible for Paralympics:
Virtus II3: Autism+ (sometimes called ‘High Functioning Autism’)ÂÂ
Athletes with Autism who do not meet the IQ and Adaptive requirement of Virtus II1 are not eligible for Paralympic Swimming. Virtus II3 athlets may compete at AWL & Virtus World Championships and Global Games.
To apply for eligibility as an athlete with intellectual impairment (if you have not already done so) visit: www.athleteswithoutlimits.org/eligibility
For full event details visit: www.teamusa.org/usparaswimming/competitions
