U.S. Olympic Training Center and Paralympic Sports
The Olympic Training Center
The U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista trains both Olympic and Paralympic athletes. U.S. Paralympics is a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee that was created in May 2001 to focus efforts on enhancing programs, funding, and opportunities for persons with physical disabilities to participate in Paralympic sport.
Peak Performance
The Paralympic Games are an elite sporting event for athletes with physical disabilities pursuing the highest pinnacle of their athletic career. On June 19, 2001, an agreement was signed between the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee securing the Games during the same year and venue as the Olympic Games. The word “Para” means “with” the Olympics. The Paralympic Games are the second largest sporting event in the world, conceding top honors only to the Olympics. The multi-sport competition showcases the talents and abilities of the world’s most elite athletes with physical disabilities. The Paralympics feature twenty-two sports, nineteen of which are played in the Olympics. The first Paralympic Games were held in 1960 in Rome, Italy.
History
In 1988, Seoul, Korea began the modern-day practice of the Olympic-host nation also hosting the Paralympic Games. Today, more than 4,000 athletes from 120 countries participate in the Summer Paralympic Games, while more than 1,100 athletes from 36 countries compete in the Winter Paralympic Games. Any individual with a physical disability who dedicates him or herself to personal excellence in the area of disabled sport is eligible to participate in the Paralympic Games. Participants must meet eligibility requirements established through the International Paralympic Committee.
Common Misconceptions
The Paralympic Games emphasize athletic achievement rather than merely participation or an emphasis on disability. Paralympics is commonly confused with “Special Olympics,” which serves individuals with mental disabilities. There are several disability groups represented in the Paralympic Games. They include: athletes with amputations, athletes who are blind or visually impaired, athletes with cerebral palsy, athletes with spinal cord injuries or who use wheelchairs, and athletes who are affected by a range of other disabilities that do not fall into the other categories, such as multiple sclerosis or dwarfism. U.S. Paralympic athletes promote excellence in sport and in life through their achievements both on and off the playing field. They positively change societal attitudes and inspire all individuals to live life to their fullest ability.
To learn more about the U.S. Paralympics or sport opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities, please contact the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista at 619-656-1500 or the U.S. Paralympic staff at 719-866-2030.
*Information courtesy of U.S. Paralympics
