US Open National Swimming Championships 2024

A Historic Event in Orlando

The inaugural US Open National Swimming Championships ended on a high note, showcasing outstanding talent and determination. Held from November 7-10, 2024, at the Rosen Aquatic Center in Orlando, FL, the event welcomed over 100 swimmers from the USA and seven other countries. These athletes competed in three categories: Intellectual Impairment (II1), Down Syndrome or Additional Significant Impairment (II2), and Autism (II3). Their performances pushed boundaries, changed perceptions, and shattered records.

Record-Breaking Achievements

The championships were a resounding success, with more than sixty world and regional 25m pool records broken. This incredible feat highlighted both the skill of the swimmers and the growing recognition of athletes with Autism, Down Syndrome, and Intellectual Disabilities in elite sports.

A Collaborative Effort

The event was made possible through the partnership of two leading U.S. high-performance sports organizations: Athletes Without Limits (AWL) and USA Down Syndrome Swimming (USADSS). These non-profits advocate for inclusion and provide essential opportunities for athletes to reach their full potential.

Barry Holman, President of Athletes Without Limits, expressed his pride: “We couldn’t be more proud of the swimmers who competed at such a high level. The partnership between USADSS and Athletes Without Limits made this championship possible.”

Promoting Inclusivity and Excellence

The USADSS AWL Championships strive to create an inclusive platform for competitive swimming. By offering athletes a chance to compete nationally and internationally, the event empowers them to reach new heights.

Judy Jurries, President of USA Down Syndrome Swimming, emphasized this mission: “We want the world to see what we witness daily—highly competitive swimmers who happen to have a disability. These athletes train hard and deserve the same respect, resources, and recognition as other top performers.”

A Global Stage

The event welcomed swimmers from Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, Portugal, Japan, Kazakhstan, and Puerto Rico, adding an international dimension. Beyond setting records, the championship fostered camaraderie and sportsmanship, celebrating each swimmer’s hard-earned success.

Pedro Vivas, Colombia’s coach, noted, “More than the records, what stood out was the opportunity to push boundaries in a growing discipline. Competing internationally was an invaluable experience for our athletes.”

Champions and New Records

Sanctioned by international federations Virtus and DSISO, the achievements in the Rosen 25-meter pool will be recorded in official rankings. Among the standout performances:

Vincente Pereira (Portugal) set seven new world records in the II2 class.
Piper Sadowski (USA, II1) achieved six records.
Melanie Huang (USA, II3) secured five records.
Joey Jurries (USA, II2) earned two records.

Looking Ahead

With such a strong start, the US Open National Swimming Championships have established themselves as a premier event for inclusive sports. The success of this competition paves the way for future championships, inspiring athletes worldwide to break barriers and redefine possibilities in competitive swimming.