Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: in swimming, how blind athletes organize themselves in the turns ?

Chaque nageur a sa technique pour le demi-tour. Les non-voyants en ont une bien particulière. MAXPPP – VIRGINIE LEFOUR

Les nageurs mal-voyants se servent d’un guide aux extrémités des couloirs d’eau pour être alerté du virage. Explications.

Unlike athletics or cycling, visually impaired athletes do not have a guide stuck to them in swimming events. The race trajectories are therefore done by feel, which is why we see them sticking to the edges of their lane.

Upper with a padded toe

But the big challenge is managing the turns. Two people from the athlete's entourage, often coaches, stand at either end of the lane. Each has a long upper with a padded toe. When the swimmer arrives, he or she gives a light blow to the swimmer's back to alert them of the arrival. The athlete can therefore anticipate and prepare their U-turn against the wall.

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In the swimming events for the visually impaired and blind, all swimmers wear opaque goggles to ensure fairness at the start.