Context and planning process The sport

The sport of swimming is governed by the International Swimming has always been a core activity for recreation Para lympic Committee (IPC) through the IPC Swimming and rehabilitation for people with impairment. It provides Technical Committee as the International Federation (IF) competition opportunities for male and female athletes and represents one of nine IPC sports under the umbrella who perform freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfl y, of the IPC. IPC Swimming developed this Swimming Stra- and medley and relay events. IPC Swimming competitions tegic Plan as a sport-specifi c extension of the overall IPC are open to athletes with a physical, visual or intellectual Strategic Plan 2011-2014 and in line with the mandate of impairment. the IPC General Assembly to further strengthen the de- velopment of the IPC sports with the aim of making them Since the Rome 1960 Paralympic Games when 77 swim- International Paralympic Committee self-sustainable. This strategic plan has been developed in mers took part, the sport has been an integral part of the parallel with the strategic plans of all other IPC sports fol- Paralympic Movement. It has seen the number of athletes lowing a common framework and recognising their com- and countries increase every four years since. At the Swimming Strategic Plan monalities and combined strengths, while it also carves Plan on IPC Sports.” This present “Swimming Strategic London 2012 Games, 604 swimmers from 74 countries out the sport specifi c long-term strategies and objectives. Plan” is an excerpt of the overall plan focussing specifi - competed in 148 medal events. Furthermore, swimming World Championships are now held every two years, in A plan of IPC Swimming for the period 2013-2016 cally on the p riorities in the area of swimming thus taking was the top sport in terms of broadcast time. IPC Swimming addition to a regional Championships. In August 2013, The common elements which emerged from the inte- into account its specifi cities and current stage of develop- is committed to ensuring swimming, the second largest Montreal hosted the IPC Swimming World Championships grated development process are described in more de- ment. It has been written in a way to be a comprehensive para-sport after athletics, remains a core event on the Para- with 57 participating nations competing in 172 medal tail in the overarching document “Overall IPC Strategic and self-contained document in its own right. lympic Games programme. events.

Swimming uses the same rules Vision, mission and values as its Olympic counterpart the International Swimming Feder- The strategic plan development process revealed consen- In the swimming context this means to enable swimmers ation (FINA), with some modifi - sus and a common understanding about the vision, mis- to achieve their dreams and goals while inspiring and excit- cation where needed. Further sion and values of the nine IPC sports. It is also considered ing the world in an environmental of excellence. To ensure to on- going contacts between important to have one common reference to guide and the organisation of successful IPC Swimming competitions, IPC Swimming and FINA in strengthen the sports collectively. Hence here below you and to encourage, promote and contribute to the develop- the course of 2013, there is fi nd the vision, mission and values applicable to all IPC ment of swimming at all levels. the desire to explore opportu- sports while putting this into the context of swimming. nities for synergies and areas in which both organisations M n issi share common interests and isio on V Organise can work together. Provide a platform successful for para-athletes competitions as part to regularly practice of a stable calendar and to showcase their while encouraging ability to their participation and full potential and development at all to reach their levels and promoting sporting pinnacle the core values of and dreams the Paralympic Movement International Paralympic Committee Athlete Professional & centred Ethical Adenauerallee 212-214 [email protected] Collabora- Equitable & tive & 53113 Bonn, Germany www.ipc-swimming.org Fair play Transparent & Engaging Accountable Tel. +49 228 2097-200 @IPCSwimming

Fax +49 228 2097-209 /IPCSwimming © Photo Credits: Getty Images, Lieven Coudenys, Vincent Ethier, Mark Zibert, Camera4 Values 1 2 3 4 5 6 Paralympic Games and Athlete Development Paralympic Brand Funding Organisational Capacity Strategic Partnerships World Championships Strategic priorities Strategic priorities Strategic priorities Strategic priorities Strategic priorities Strategic priorities ■ Put rules and regulations in place that are in line with the relevant ■ In conjunction with NPCs, identify education needs, estab- ■ Establish a public relations plan that supports the IPC Swimming ■ Ensure high quality products in terms of competitions, education, ■ Provide leadership to IPC Swimming based on modern principles ■ Develop relationship and explore possible collaboration FINA Rules and Regulations, and with overall IPC policies and lish the delivery method, develop resources and conduct the brand, engages the community, and facilitates an understand- knowledge, etc. which appeal to existing or potential new part- of corporate governance. opportunities with FINA. regulations. educational activities. ing of the uniqueness of swimming (including classifi cation). ners. ■ Provide top-quality service and support to Local Organisers ■ Develop key partnerships with NPCs/NFs to ensure regional ■ Support and co-ordinate the development and implementation ■ Create an online educational tool for technical offi cials. ■ Ensure broacast agreements (including public broadcast), TV ■ Establish a multi-year Marketing and Sales Plan, outlining clear of competitions. delivery of IPC Swimming Strategic Plan. of accurate, reliable and consistent sport focused classifi cation ■ Maintain, update and translate the classifi cation online course. production and other targeted media partnerships are in place revenue targets. ■ Cultivate a volunteer network across all regions through ■ Develop partnerships with IOSDs, structures within FINA, the systems. ■ Ensure development activities include new countries and ath- for all major championships. ■ Seek win-win partnerships via professional marketing companies. education at events; including programmes for technical United Nations, in sport and in the disability fi eld. ■ Ensure top-quality hosts are identifi ed for future World Cham- letes in swimming from all three impairment groups and all ■ Develop and monitor the annual budget and present fi nancial offi cials, classifi ers, competition management, and other ■ Partner with appropriate institutions/universities/NGOs pionships. classes, including those with high support needs. reports. contributors. to strengthen research and partnerships in support of IPC ■ Ensure competition programmes and qualifi cation criteria are ■ Ensure education opportunities for athletes and coaches. ■ Develop attractive sponsorship packages based on key prod- ■ Establish an IPC Swimming Coaches Advisory Group, Swimming Swimming. developed in a timely manner. ■ Ensure classifi cation opportunities are available at diff erent ucts, around events and for youth. Science Advisory Group and ensure athletes’ input, all to be ■ Build strong relationship with the Agitos Foundation. ■ Implement an athlete qualifi cation system that ensures levels of competition in all regions. advisory to the Sport Technical Committee (STC). ■ Leverage expertise and resources of partners such as NPCs, a) viability of all events, b) participation of top-ranked athletes, ■ Ensure that the workforce (e.g. offi cials, Local Organisers, Objectives/outcomes ■ Identify needs related to workforce education. Local Organisers and host cities in the staging of major and c) representative participation of all genders and all three management team) are well trained and educated to run ■ Secure one/two commercial partners and secure sponsorship ■ Defi ne needs and build staff /contractor capacity collabora- competitions. impairment types from around the globe. well-organised, fair and equitable sport. agreements (in kind, service commitments, funding) off ering a tively with other sports to support the competition excellence ■ Ensure regular communication and technical reviews with the ■ Build further regional and youth events for the development of dedicated investment for swimming by 2016. expected for the sports. Objectives/outcomes event organisers in order to promote management, presentation the sport, explore opportunities at existing competitions. ■ Reach a level to generate a profi t from Paralympic Games broad- ■ Organise classifi ers’ recertifi cation and training courses. ■ Participate in, have a presence at and become known at FINA and offi ciating of swimming at the expected level of excellence. ■ Work with stakeholders to create a strategy for development cast activities. ■ Organise technical offi cials’ recertifi cation and training courses. events (congresses, meetings etc.) including the opportunity and sustainability of opportunities for swimmers with high- ■ Use broadcast visibility to guarantee and to further promote to make contributions or presentations. Objectives/outcomes support needs. sponsorship and advertising sales. Objectives/outcomes ■ Formalise relationship with FINA in areas of mutual interest ■ Establish a fair classifi cation system in all three impairment ■ Be active on social media on a regular basis and provide on- going ■ Work with IPC/NPCs/National Federations (NFs)/Local Organ- ■ Ensure availability of an appropriate number of qualifi ed and of benefi t to both organisations. groups which is supported by sports and scientifi c evidence. Objectives/outcomes maintenance of the website. isers to ensure that start-up funds are available for IPC Swim- technical offi cials and classifi ers through the appropriate ■ In conjunction with the Agitos Foundation secure programmes ■ Establish a four-year competition cycle from 2013 to 2016, and ■ Rely on well-trained classifi ers in all regions. ■ Promote the profi le of leading swimming athletes and provide ming World Series project. certifi cation and training process. to grow the sport in developing regions. beyond, according to the current competition cycle. ■ Establish regional Championships in 2014, and for the next education to such athletes. ■ Develop innovative programmes and initiatives to access ■ Ensure eff ective STC meetings based on a standardised ■ Enhance working relationships with all parties involved in ■ Secure hosts, on-going management and monitoring for 2015 quadrennium. ■ Make use of awareness, learn to swim, water safety, local Para- funding, (e.g. one per cent of profi t) is contributed by compa- operating charter. staging major competitions and use of synergies and effi cien- World Championships and beyond. ■ Establish a World Series annually for the world’s top athletes. lympic promotion and other programmes to promote the brand. nies to IPC Swimming. ■ Support STC decision making by reviewing all IPC Swimming cies in budgets and resources. ■ Ensure swimming remains on the Paralympic Games programme ■ Ensure that a comprehensive competition calendar with national ■ Secure and engage sponsors that are committed to promotion operations and setting up key working groups. ■ Partner with IPC Swimming host cities to ensure events are eco- with an optimum number of events, working proactively and international recognised competitions is in place. and brand advancement. ■ Ensure on-going professional development for IPC Swimming nomically viable, future legacy partnerships are built into agree- to stabilise the programme and ensure opportunities for ■ Establish and share best practices in swimming delivery and management team and key volunteers. ments, and knowledge transfer to future hosts is in place . swimmers with high support needs. development pathways. Objectives/outcomes ■ Ensure eff ective communication with and service to the ■ Enhance synergies and collaboration through sharing ■ Clearly lay out the qualifi cation pathway with ■ Ensure competition approval processes; and results, ranking, ■ Regular media coverage about athletes and their exciting swimming community including engagement of both small of knowledge and materials available from IPC, appropriate Paralympic Games qualifying licensing and record management processes are in place and stories in order to maintain visibility and momentum about their and large NPCs throughout the regions. NPCs, NFs (e.g. resources for coaching educa- competitions ensuring balance in terms of operating effi ciently. performances and competition pathways. Establish annual work plans with goals, time- tion and for athletes with high-support needs). aff ordability and accessibility. ■ Develop educational opportunities, including in the areas of fair- ■ Ensure visibility of commercial partners through all communi- lines, and priorities to ensure delivery on the ■ Ensure that the programme of events is ex- play in anti-doping, classifi cation, the role of the IPC Athletes’ cations to value their investment. IPC Swimming Strategic Plan. citing and inspiring and relevant to ticket Council, and swimming sport medicine and sport science. ■ Raise interest and awareness among the media and high-value holders, television viewers, athletes, markets. National Paralympic Committees ■ Increase worldwide reach of media coverage working with the (NPCs) and all other stakeholders. swimming community and regions.