In our efforts to make the Nyon Triathlon accessible to all, for this 33rd edition, we are reinforcing the strategy to welcome athletes with special needs.

The Nyon Triathlon is collaborating with Special Olympics Switzerland and the Swiss Paraplegic Association in order to allow people with special needs to participate in this great sporting event, alone or in groups with their family or friends.

With the goal of inclusion, all categories offered by the Nyon Triathlon are open to people with disabilities and special needs. We can make the necessary adaptations that would allow anyone to participate and we encourage athletes to contact us.

For those who wish to experience the joys of triathlon in a family atmosphere, the “Family Team” category allows them to discover the three disciplines of triathlon with short distances and many adaptations.

Each participant takes part with his group, in the disciplines of his choice (1, 2 or 3 disciplines to chose), in the following order:

Swimming (50 m) The participant has the right to swim with a board, floaties, fins, goggles, mask, snorkel (other accessories accepted on request).

Cycling (2 km) The distance can be covered by a regular bike, a bike with stabilisers, a handycycle, a tandem bike (other adaptations possible on request).

Running (1 km) The distance can be covered on foot, by joëlette, regular wheelchair/pushed by a third party/electric (other adaptations possible on request)

The ranking is done by drawing of lot.

For people who wish to participate in another race with different distances, this is of course also possible. All races are visible on our website and can be run inclusively, individually or in relays and with the necessary adaptations.

The Organizing Committee is committed to making the Nyon Triathlon accessible to the greatest number of people with disabilities as possible. We strive to guarantee access to the sports facilities and to offer all the necessary amenities.

Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports movement for people with mental disabilities and promotes the valuing, equality and recognition of everyone through sport. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy-Shriver in the United States and officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1988, the movement today brings together more than 4.9 million athletes in 172 countries. Special Olympics helps people with mental disabilities develop through sport. These athletes have the opportunity to improve their self-esteem and self-confidence as well as their physical fitness. Our event allows them to share special moments with other athletes, their families and their social environment.

Unified – Development of inclusive sport

Since 2014, Switzerland has ratified a Convention with the UN on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) which aims to guarantee everyone equal access to social life, sports and leisure, among other things. This is why Special Olympics Switzerland has decided to develop an inclusive sports experience for children and adolescents with special needs. In 2017, more than 400 people participated in regular training sessions in 49 clubs throughout Switzerland. Of these 49 structures, 25 have been awarded the Special Olympics Switzerland label, which certifies their inclusive strategy.

The main goal of this program is the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the field of sport, giving people with special needs – especially children and adolescents – access to quality and inclusive sport. Concretely, the objective of this program is that children with special needs participate regularly and actively in sports activities in ordinary sports structures in Switzerland – such as sports clubs or popular sports events – as well as in the social life of these structures. In order to guarantee this objective, Special Olympics develops opportunities in either “Unified Clubs” or “Unified Events”.

A “Unified Club” is a sports club that respects the principle of an “inclusive society” and puts the CRPD into practice. It is labeled by Special Olympics Switzerland and allows people with special needs to participate regularly in sports, but also to participate actively in the sporting and social life of the club.

A “Unified Event” is a sporting event that respects the principle of “inclusive society” and puts the CRPD into practice. It is labeled by Special Olympics Switzerland and allows people with special needs to participate actively in the sports activities that are offered and promotes social cohesion between people with and without disabilities. An adapted category allows the participation of people who have a limited level of performance.