March 21 marked World Down Syndrome Day. This official day was created by the United Nations to celebrate the lives of people with Down Syndrome and to make sure they have the same freedoms and opportunities as everybody else.
A number of years ago, the Portuguese National Swimming Federation, as part of its inclusion strategy, established an “ADAPTADA” section, which allowed swimmers, including those with Down Syndrome to compete from club through to international level.
At the 8th European Open Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, organised by the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation (DSISO) and held in Albufeira last year, Portugal topped the medal table, winning the highest number of gold medals and breaking world record times.
Swimmer José Vieira from Loulé, who represents the Ferreiras Clube in Albufeira and captained the Portuguese team, recently featured in the World Down Syndrome Day Conference, under the theme ‘Together Against Loneliness’.
José and his coach and director of swimming at Ferreiras talked about how being involved in swimming, or other sports activities, ensures that you are always busy and thereby avoid loneliness.
Despite training every day and competing for Portugal at international swimming events around the world, José and his fellow elite swimmers are not allowed to compete in the Paralympic Games.
For the past 10 years, a group from the Ferreiras Club established a project called Special21 to challenge what they describe as “unfairness” and “discrimination”.
Progress has been slow, but the team continues with determination plus support from fellow organisations around the world to make a breakthrough and provide these elite athletes with the success they deserve.
Meantime, Albufeira will also host the 12th World Down Syndrome Swimming & Artistic Championships, organised by DSISO, from October 30 to November 7, 2026.
