Special Olympics swimming is looking for volunteers to be Unified Partners. Anyone over the age of 8 can apply to participate in a sport mixed with people with intellectual disabilities and those without. 

“Special Olympics Unified Sports combines people with (traditional Special Olympics athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (called Unified partners) on sports teams for training and competition; dramatically increasing inclusion in the community and using sports to help break down barriers that have historically kept people apart,” President and CEO Sherry Wheelock said. “Special Olympics athletes experience new social opportunities and make new friends they may not have otherwise, and regular education students learned valuable lessons of character development and may serve as peer mentors.” 

The Special Olympics has had this program since 1980, however recently in the Brevard community, an increasing number students have decided to join due to schools sponsoring the club.

“I think this is a very great opportunity for students to give back and be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Principal Rick Fleming said. “I sent an email out earlier this week to all the parents to try and help gain more attention to it.” 

Sophomore Nicki Knoblock encourages students to join.

“I chose to be a Unified Partner because I love swimming and want to make swimming more accessible and fun to everyone,”she said. 

To become a Unified partner, volunteers need to fill out the Unified Sports Partner Registration Form. Those under 18 who participate should know they need to have two references to join. Competition cut swimsuits, a water bottle, towel, goggles and a bag are required equipment. Everything else will be provided. Practice on private teams has begun, however main event competitions don’t begin until July. Interested students should sign up now to allow for processing and analysis. 

“Unified Sports is for anyone who enjoys competition, fun and friendship,” Wheelock said. “Many parents and siblings find that Unified Sports offers a new way to spend time together and meet other families.”

By Arabella Belcher