What is a T21 Swim Warrior?

Inclusion Matters!

USA Down Syndrome Swimming (USADSS) is proud to celebrate all of our T21 Swim Warriors! Any USA citizen who has Down syndrome, likes to swim, and wants to be a part of our organization is invited to join. USADSS will do our best to help navigate the world of competitive swimming and artistic swimming, and advocate for athletes to become more included at local, national, and international levels.

While many athletes with Down syndrome swim in local and state Special Olympics events, there are also opportunities for swimmers with Down syndrome to represent their home country and compete against elite swimmers with Down syndrome at international swim meets. The Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation (DSISO) provides regional and world championships specific to swimmers with Down syndrome. DSISO also maintains regional and world records.

Becoming an elite T21 Swim Warrior starts with learning proper technique and competing at a local level. Swimmers with Down syndrome all over the USA compete alongside typical peers in USA Swimming, US Masters, and high school swim meets. This provides high expectations for learning correct swim technique, and building the grit necessary to become an elite swimmer.  

Many countries have formed strong teams of amazing swimmers with Down syndrome. USA Down Syndrome National Swim Team has some incredible swimmers, but we need more athletes to be successful on the world stage! A new team will be formed 6 months before the next international competition, so we are actively searching for T21 Swim Warriors who want to challenge themselves and work toward qualifying times for those international competitions. 

Once you become part of the USADSS family, you will be inspired to believe in the impossible. Please join USADSS as we recruit athletes and create partners to support these remarkable #t21swimwarriors. 

Contact us at info@usadss.org if you want to try to connect to a local swim club, or find out more about becoming an official T21 Swim Warrior!