Special Olympics Australia makes a splash in Melbourne

Key points:

• The SPLASH swimming event was held recently to raise funds for programs that support Australians with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports

• Almost one in five Australians live with disability, highlighting the value that these events and programs can provide

• Swimming can be a great way to engage in sports for reasons including the ability to develop confidence in the water

Liam Twoomey, Deborah Tsai and Dean Puller were among the Olympic athletes who competed in the SPLASH corporate swim challenge, a first-ever in Melbourne. Additionally, eight Special Olympics Australia athletes and eight corporate teams were present for the competition.

With almost 20 percent of Australians living with disability, encouraging sporting clubs and groups to make their activities more accessible and inclusive for people with disability could help Australia become even more united.

The McGrathNicol firm, which helps advise and restructure businesses, came out on top with the SPLASH trophy for the 2024 event.

The event was held to raise money for Special Olympics Australia which runs programs such as:

• Playing for All to increase participation in non-competitive sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities;
• Inclusive Sport in Schools helps to engage children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities in sports at school.

While funds are still being added to the running total, organisations such as Law Enforcement Torch Run Victoria raised $15,000 dollars for Special Olympics Australia for the 2024 event.

Pierre Comis, chief executive officer at Special Olympics Australia, knows how important raising funds is to continue the support for programs run by Special Olympics Australia.

“We’re so excited to bring SPLASH to Australia’s sporting capital here in Melbourne. Each of the corporate teams did an amazing job raising money and swimming alongside Special Olympics athletes in a truly inclusive display,” Comis said.“We’re so thankful to the Olympians and other sporting champions that came along to lend their support and we are so excited by everyone’s desire to make SPLASH an even bigger fundraiser next year.”

If you’re interested in getting your corporate group to raise funds and participate in next year’s SPLASH, head over to the Special Olympics website.

While engaging in sports can be a great way to make friends and get fit, people with disability may find certain sports challenging, depending on their disability. 

However, the Royal Lifesaving Society suggests some reasons why swimming could be a way to get involved in sport, with many benefits including:

• developing confidence in the water and within oneself;
• finding the environment to be less stressful than high-impact sports, such as football;
• engaging with other people in a non-threatening environment;
• participating at your own pace and level.

Another event was recently held by Special Olympics Australia and World Wrestling Entertainment in Perth. This partnership between WWE and Special Olympics is strong, as it was initially established at the 1995 World Games in New Haven.

WWE stars Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, Australian-born Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae went to South Perth Bowling Club to highlight the importance of inclusivity as they played a match of lawn bowls with Special Olympics athletes.

To read more about the WWE and Special Olympics Australia lawn bowls match, head over to our recent article: Special Olympics and WWE event encourages inclusivity. 

Are you an avid swimmer? What do you love most about swimming?

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