 News Releases |
| News Releases |
Contact: Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication
Director on +49-228-2097180, e-mail: Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org
or http://www.paralympic.org
(Bonn, Germany ) March 16, 2004 - Six athletes have been nominated
for the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
category for the Laureus World Sports Awards 2004.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of sports for athletes with disabilities. It supervises and co-ordinates the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games and other multi-disability competitions, of which the most important are World and Regional Championships. The IPC also supports the recruitment and development of athletes at local, national, and international levels across all performance levels.
 |
Tim Ashwood Named NDSA
Athlete of the Month for February
(Kingston, RI) March 11, 2004 - Tim Ashwood of St. Louis, MO, has been named National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) Athlete of the Month for February, 2004. Ashwood, who has cerebral palsy, is an exceptional mountain climber and has scaled some of the world's premier rock faces. He calls his climbing "adventure therapy." Because Ashwood's cerebral palsy manifests itself with stiffness and imbalance, he uses extensive stretching techniques along with his climbing. Ashwood's doctors have confirmed that his balance and range of motion have improved significantly since he began his unique version of therapy.
Ashwood has also tried to use his climbing to help raise money for charitable organizations. He has climbed such distinguished landmarks as Long Peak's Diamond, a 1000-ft rock face in Colorado and several of the more prominent rock faces in Yosemite National Park. In May, he plans to climb El Capitan, a wall respected as the premier challenge in North America.
"Even though sports are the main focus of NDSA, we are always excited to see what our members CAN DO in related areas of physical activity," said Jerry McCole, NDSA Executive Director. "Tim is a great example of someone who sets goals and finds a way to achieve them."
Each month in an effort to recognize and reward stellar achievements, acts of enrichment, or meritorious participation by athletes with a physical disability, NDSA has proudly instituted its Athlete of the Month Award Program. As NDSA Athlete of the Month, Ashwood will receive a certificate from NDSA citing his achievement.
The National Disability Sports Alliance is responsible for the conduct and administration of approved sports in the United States. NDSA formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts national championships in twelve sports, disseminates safety and sports medicine information and selects athletes to represent the United States in international competition. NDSA is a CBO (Community Based Organization) member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
For more information on NDSA please contact (401) 792-7130 or visit the NDSA website at www.ndsaonline.org.
|
|
U.S. Women's Goalball Team Becomes First Disabled
OTC Resident Program
Contact: Nicole Jomantas, Communications Director (719) 630-0422, ext. 10
(Colorado Springs, CO) January 12, 2004 - This week marks a landmark in the history of the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) as members of the U.S. Women's Goalball Team move into the OTC and become the first-ever disabled team to obtain residency at the Center.
Goalball is a team sport played by blind and visually impaired athletes around the world. A team of three athletes on each side of the court aims to launch a ball at speeds of more than 30mph into the opposing side's goal on an indoor volleyball-sized court. All athletes are blindfolded to create a state of total blackness and nine bells encased in a ball the size of a basketball help the athletes track the ball's location.
"No team or athlete can ask for more than the opportunity
to train daily at the OTC and have full access to the OTC facilities,"
said Head Coach Ken
Armbruster (Colorado Springs, CO). "I am confident that the
four athletes chosen for the residency program will take full
advantage of all the resources that have been made available."
The four athletes named to the program are Jennifer Armbruster
(Colorado Springs, CO), Lisa Banta (Boonton, NJ), Nikki Buck (Paw
Paw, MI) and
Robin Theryoung (Kalamazoo, MI). These women were the core of
the six-member team that won the gold medal at the 2002 World
Goalball Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, qualifying for
the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games and claiming the top seed going
into the Games. Two
additional players will be added to the program in June to train
through the Games.
"This opportunity is huge for our women's goalball team. It provides them with some of the best resources in the world and will put the team in an excellent position to medal in Athens," said Mark Lucas, USABA Executive Director. "Traditionally, these women have lived scattered around the country and therefore only had the chance to train together a few times each year. Now they will have the chance to not only train together, but mesh as a team which will be critical to their success."
|
|
(Tucson, AZ) October 29, 2003 - Mattie J.T. Stepanek, National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will be honored on Oct. 30 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for his humanitarian endeavors. Stepanek is one of seven individuals and corporations to be recognized in a Washington ceremony by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson to commemorate October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
At age 13, Stepanek already is a world-renowned poet whose Heartsongs books have regularly appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. He is being honored by HHS as "a youth who through his poetry has provided hope to children with disabilities around the world."
In his role as National Goodwill Ambassador, Mattie represents families served by MDA at national and local events to spread the word about MDA and its mission. Mattie has mitochondrial myopathy, a genetic neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness and difficulty regulating body functions such as his heart rate and breathing. He uses a power wheelchair.
MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. For more information about MDA's research and services, call (800) 572-1717 or go to www.mdausa.org.
|
|
Contact: Janice Halpern (508) 698-6810,
classic.pr@verizon.net
(Kingston, RI) September 9, 2003 - Jason Pisano of West Warwick, RI, has been named National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) Athlete of the Month for August, 2003.
Pisano competed in the British Open Athletics Championships for Athletes with Disabilities August 16-17 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. Although Pisano did not medal, he gained valuable international experience and is already planning to attend the event next year. Pisano is a member of the Wheels & Heels Disability Sports Team, the Rhode Island Chapter for NDSA. Pisano and Wheels & Heels Team competed at the 2003 NDSA National Sports Festival in New London, CT in June, where he qualified for the British Championships.
Pisano is a multi-sport athlete, competing in track, indoor wheelchair soccer, and marathons. He has completed over 25 marathons, including the Boston, New York City, Disney World, and Ocean State Marathons. Pisano is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in journalism. He is currently a freelance journalist.
Each month in an effort to recognize and reward stellar achievements, acts of enrichment, or meritorious participation by athletes with a physical disability, NDSA has proudly instituted its Athlete of the Month Award Program. As NDSA Athlete of the Month, Pisano will receive a certificate from NDSA citing his achievement.
The National Disability Sports Alliance is responsible for
the conduct and administration of approved sports in the United
States. NDSA formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures,
conducts national championships in twelve sports, disseminates
safety and sports medicine information and selects athletes to
represent the United States in international competition. NDSA
is a CBO (Community Based Organization) member of the United States
Olympic Committee (USOC). For more information on NDSA please
contact (401) 792-7130 or visit the NDSA website at www.ndsaonline.org.
|
|
IPC Exhibition Events at Athletics World Championships
in Paris
CONTACT: IOC Communications Department on: Tel: +41 216 216
111, Fax: +41 216 216 351, Email: pressoffice@olympic.org or visit
our website at www.olympic.org or Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and
Communication Manager on +49 228 209 7180, e-mail: Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org
or http://www.paralympic.org.
(Bonn, Germany ) August 28, 2003 - Athletes with a disability
are taking the spotlight as they participate in exhibition events
at the IAAF 2003 Athletics World Championships in Paris, France.
Forty athletes, including 28 men and 12 women, from 18 countries
will compete in races, which started yesterday and will continue
through Friday, 29 August.
Yesterday's events saw Carlos Lopes of Portugal and Adria Rocha
Santos of Brazil take gold in the Men's 400m Blind race and in
the Women's 200m Blind
race respectively.
Dates and times of the demonstration events are as follows:
Men's 200m Amputee 28 August, 18:00
Men's 400m Cerebral Palsy 28 August, 18:20
Women's 800m Wheelchair 29 August, 19:30
Men's 1500m Wheelchair 29 August, 19:45
For all the latest results, please visit the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) website: www.iaaf.org/WCH03/index.html. Athletics has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1960. At the 3rd IPC World Championships in Lille, France, in 2002, more than 1,200 competitors from 75 countries set 76 new world records.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) organizes, supervises and co-ordinates the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games, but also other competitions including World and Regional Championships in 13 sports. For these sports, the IPC also acts as the International Federation. With 161 member nations, the IPC is one of the largest sport organizations in the world representing the vast majority of athletes with a disability
|
|
CONTACT: IOC Communications Department on: Tel: +41 216 216 111, Fax: +41 216 216 351, Email: pressoffice@olympic.org or visit our website at www.olympic.org or Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication Manager on +49 228 209 7180, e-mail: Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org or http://www.paralympic.org.
(August 27, 2003) Bonn, Germany - On 25 August in Lausanne, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, and the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Phil Craven, signed an amendment to the IOC/IPC Agreement of 19 June 2001 on the organisation of the Paralympic Games. This amendment is aimed at ensuring that Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) pay the IPC nine million U.S. dollars for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008, and 14 million dollars for the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010 and the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012 for broadcasting and marketing related to the 2008, 2010, and 2012 Paralympic Games.
The IOC President said "This is a big day for the Olympic Movement. The IOC is happy to be able to support the IPC for these forthcoming editions of the Paralympic Games and, in doing so, to strengthen its relations with the Paralympic Movement." "The amendment lays an excellent foundation for the IPC's quest to fully develop the Paralympic Movement - a huge task, which we can now begin to explore. It also emphasises the close partnership which continues between the IOC and the IPC," said Mr Craven. In October 2000, on the occasion of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, a Cooperation Agreement, outlining the principles of further relations between the two organisations, was signed. This represented a significant step in the IOC's policy to support sport for athletes with disabilities. A second agreement was signed in June 2001, recognising the need to build synergy in the organisation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, where appropriate. Although this agreement was not supposed to come into effect until Beijing 2008 and Vancouver 2010, the OCOGs of the forthcoming Games, starting successfully with Salt Lake City in 2002, immediately chose to implement the concept of having one Organising Committee for both Games.
|
|
Michael Smith Named NDSA Athlete of the Month for July
Contact: Janice Halpern (508) 698-6810, classic.pr@verizon.net
(Kingston, RI) August 13, 2003 -
Michael Smith of Kansas City, MO, has been named National Disability
Sports Alliance (NDSA) Athlete of the Month for July, 2003.
Smith was recently awarded the "Spirit of the Games" award at the 2003 NDSA National Sports Festival. The award, a beautiful etched vase, is sponsored by Wedgewood Waterford Crystal. Smith not only competed at the Sports Festival, but he also volunteered to assist with officiating boccia.
"The Spirit of the Games award signifies that bit of extra effort that an athlete shows not only during competition, but off the field as well," said NDSA Executive Director Jerry McCole in presenting the award. "Michael Smith is a perfect example of someone who gives back to disability sport," added McCole.
Smith competes in bowling, field events, and indoor wheelchair soccer. Smith won the national championship in his division for bowling at the 2003 NDSA National Sports Festival. Smith competes for the Kansas City Power & Speed team and is a long-time competitor at the Mid America Games for the Disabled, one of the oldest NDSA regional events.
Each month in an effort to recognize and reward stellar achievements, acts of enrichment, or meritorious participation by athletes with a physical disability, NDSA has proudly instituted its Athlete of the Month Award Program. As NDSA Athlete of the Month, Smith will receive a certificate from NDSA citing his achievement.
The National Disability Sports Alliance is responsible for
the conduct and administration of approved sports in the United
States.
NDSA formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures,
conducts national championships in twelve sports, disseminates
safety and sports medicine information and selects athletes to
represent the United States in international competition. NDSA
is a CBO (Community Based Organization) member of the United States
Olympic Committee (USOC).
For more information on NDSA please contact (401) 792-7130 or visit the NDSA website at www.ndsaonline.org.
|
|
Princess Astrid Patron of IPC Dressage World Championships
CONTACT: Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication
Manager on +49 228 209 7180, e-mail: Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org
or http://www.paralympic.org.
(Bonn, Germany) August 11, 2003 - The 5th IPC Dressage World Championships will take place from 2 to 7 September in Moorsele, Belgium, under the Patronage of the Princess Astrid of Belgium. They will be a major selection trial for dressage competitors who want to qualify for the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games.
Equestrian has established itself as a sport of substance. It has a robust infrastructure of rules, based on those of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) but widely adjusted to cater for persons with a disability. The forthcoming World Championships will demonstrate the high standards of performance that have been attained over the years based on the motto of the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee: "It's ability that counts - not disability".
|
|
SHAKE-A-LEG-NEWPORT
TO INITIATE NEW SAILING EVENT(Newport, RI) August 7, 2003 - The formation of the Clagett Memorial Cup has been announced jointly by Paul Callahan (Bourne, MA./Newport, RI), Chairman and CEO of Shake-A-Leg Newport, and Judy McLennan (Easton, MD) and Stephanie McLennan (Newport, RI), daughter and grand-daughter, respectively, of the late C. Thomas Claggett, Jr. The inaugural event is set to take place August 21-24, 2003, in the world famous sailing capitol of Newport, Rhode Island.
The hallmark of the event will be the combination of an annual regatta with a dedicated coaching component. The specific goal of the event - to take good disabled sailors and position them to move up to elite-level sailing - is enhanced by a long-range goal of increasing the talent pool for future Paralympic competition. Unique due to its purpose and intended perpetuity for disabled sailors, the event will take place at the newly expanded Shake-A-Leg Sailing Center at Fort Adams, with the McLennans and Shake-A-Leg Newport as co-hosts. As a pilot program, this year's event will be open to Shake-A-Leg Newport sailors who will benefit from classroom instruction and on-the-water coaching on Thursday and Friday, with racing for the perpetual trophy on Saturday and Sunday. Serving as both head coach and Regatta Chair is Scott Leppert who was recently named head sailing coach at Washington College (Chestertown, MD). Leppert had previously been head coach at Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI) where he led the sailing team to its highest ever district ranking.
"This event will be the first of its kind in the country combining top-level instruction followed by a competition for a perpetual trophy for disabled people," explained Callahan, himself a C-4 quadriplegic. His personal evolution from a novice sailor in 1996, to one of the best disabled skippers in the world - he represented the U.S.A. at the 2000 Paralympic Games - gives him an excellent perspective on the opportunity the event offers. "We want to thank the McLennans for all of their effort, support and resources to make this happen."
As a youth Tom Clagett was paralyzed, and although his condition was a temporary one, the experience left him with an enduring respect for the potential and accomplishments of disabled people. Clagett learned to sail on Chesapeake Bay and later shared his love for sailing with his wife, Nancy Leiter Claggett. After her death in 1977, his support was the driving force behind the creation of the Leiter Trophy and the Ida Lewis Trophy, two US SAILING national championships that were created to elevate the skills of junior women sailors.
Clagett was devoted to sailing, had a love of honest rivalry and was dedicated to quality competition. "He always reminded everyone that they could achieve anything they wanted if they just put their mind to it," said Judy McLennan. "He would be very pleased that the Clagett Memorial Cup was being initiated to assist disabled sailors to further their sailing capabilities in hopes of bringing home the gold."
About Shake-A-Leg
Shake-A-Leg Newport is the oldest and most progressive disabled sailing program in the country exclusively serving physically and mentally challenged people. Among other programs, Shake-A-Leg Newport offers therapy programs throughout the summer months at Salve Regina University (Newport, RI) for people with neurological impairments concentrating on the mind-body-spirit phenomenon. Shake-A-Leg Newport's internationally recognized adaptive sailing program is located at Fort Adams and provides recreational, instructional and competitive sailing opportunities for those who wish to build confidence.
|
|
IBSA Athletes Shine in Quebec
CONTACT: Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication Manager
on +49 228 209 7180, e-mail: Miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org or
http://www.paralympic.org.
(Bonn, Germany) August 6, 2003 - Over 1,100 athletes from more than 55 countries have come to compete in the 2nd IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) World Championships and Games taking place now in Quebec, Canada. This is the biggest sporting event ever for the blind and visually impaired.
Athletes did not waste anytime breaking records. In the Powerlifting events, 13 new world records were set on Tuesday ,with Iran taking the majority of the gold medals.
These competitions are very important for blind and visually impaired athletes, as they are an opportunity to qualify for the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games. For Judo they are the only qualifier, whereas for Athletics, Goalball, Powerlifting, Swimming and Tandem Cycling they are one of several opportunities.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday saw competition from all of the sports. For a full list of results, please visit the official website at www.ibsaquebec2003.com. There will be new information added daily. The 2nd IBSA World Championships and Games are being co-ordinated by the Canadian Blind Sports Association and will carry on until 12 August.
|
|
Paralympic Athletes to File Major Discrimination Lawsuit Against USOC
CONTACT: Mark Eddy, 720-201-4251 mobile
(Denver, CO) July 27, 2003 - Three Paralympic athletes will file a major discrimination lawsuit against the United States Olympic Committee on Monday morning (July 28) in federal court in Denver.
Paralympians Scot Hollonbeck, of Atlanta, Georgia, Tony Iniguez, of Aurora, Illinois, and Jacob Heilveil of Bothell, Washington, said the USOC violates federal law by providing benefits - such as elite training, coaching, performance incentives and health insurance - to Olympic athletes but denies those benefits Paralympic athletes.
The three, who are all world-class athletes, are suing under provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
The lawsuit will be filed at 10:45 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Denver, 901 19th St. (19th and Champa.)
Hollonbeck and his attorneys, Amy Robertson and Tim Fox, of the Denver civil rights law firm Fox & Robertson, and Kevin Williams of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, will be available for interviews outside the courthouse at 11 a.m.
|
|
U.S. TRACK AND FIELD TEAM NAMED FOR WORLD BLIND CHAMPIONSHIPS
Contact:
Nicole Jomantas, Communications Director, U.S. Association of
Blind Athletes (719) 630-0422, ext. 10, Fax: 719-630-0616, njomantas@usaba.org.,
www.usaba.org
(Colorado Springs) July 24, 2003 - The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes is pleased to announce the roster for the U.S. Track and Field Team that is competing at the International Blind Sports Association World Championships and Games, August 1-12 in Quebec City. Members were selected based upon their best performance between January 1, 2002 and May 26, 2003
The World Championships will be an important opportunity for athletes to earn country slots for participation in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games. All athletes compete in categories based upon their visual classification. These categories are as follows: B1 (totally blind), B2 (20/600-the ability to distinguish the shape of a hand) and B3 (20/200-20/599).
The team of nine athletes players, includes a mix of Paralympians and newcomers to the international scene. Pam McGonigle (Ardmore, PA), Royal Mitchell (Hardeeville, SC), Trent Blair (Taylorsville, UT) and Asya Miller (Lansing, MI) competed in the Sydney Paralympic Games and will bring a wealth of experience to the team.
At 35years of age, McGonigle continues to demonstrate that
she is in the best shape of her life, as she reset her own American
record for her vision classification (B2) at the July Boston High
Performance Meet. A middle-distance runner and Paralympic gold
medalist, McGonigle ran 10:25.2 in the
3,000 m and 4:41.6 in the 1,500 m.
Although best known for his gold medal in the 400m at the Sydney Paralympics, Mitchell (B3) has honed his sprinting ability and will prove to be a threat in both the 100m and 200m as well, potentially becoming the first visually impaired athlete to go under 11 seconds in the 100m. After a stint as a pentathlete, Blair (B3) returns to his sprinting roots to challenge Mitchell in the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m.
Miller (B3), a bronze medalist in the discus at both the Sydney Paralympics and the 2002 International Paralympic Committee World Championships will seek to challenge a strong Cuban contingent in Quebec in both the discus and the shot put.
Josiah Jamison (Spartanburg, SC), Nelacey Porter (Portland, OR) and Elexis Gillette (Raleigh, NC) make up a solid core of fresh sprinting talent. Like Mitchell, Jamison (B2) is a graduate of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind and will be a medal hopeful in both the 100 and 200 m.
Porter is the most solid B2 sprinter in U.S. history, running 11.07 for the 100 m and competing on the track team at Western Oregon University.
Gillette (B1) was a wrestler at Athens Drive High School until he was introduced to the long jump at a USABA Sports Education Camp in Kalamazoo, MI two years ago. Now Gillette is aiming to jump six meters and run sub-12 seconds in the 100 m.
Veteran Joe Aukward (Bethesda, MD) returns to international competition after an injury at the 2000 Paralympic Trials kept him out of the Sydney Games. The 43-year-old Aukward (B1) specializes in the 200 m and will also be instrumental in the 4x400 relay.
Tiffany Wilson (San Diego, CA) has a strong background in both track and field events, winning the 200 m, high jump and long jump at the 2001 Pan American Games for the Blind. This time around, she's aiming to repeat her success in the100 m and long jump.
The team will be led by Head Coach Jim Vargo (Jeffersonville, IN), head track and field coach at Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY and Assistant Coach Brian Whitmer (Raleigh, NC).
USABA, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee,
is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind
and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports.
USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills
to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic
Games, the world's second largest athletic competition that draws
more than 4,000 disabled athletes.
|
|
Contact:
Nicole Jomantas, Communications Director, U.S. Association of
Blind Athletes (719) 630-0422, ext. 10, Fax: 719-630-0616, njomantas@usaba.org.,
www.usaba.org
(Colorado Springs) July 20, 2003 - The U.S. Association of
Blind Athletes is pleased to announce the roster for the Men's
Goalball Team that is competing at
the International Blind Sports Association World Championships
and Games, August 1-12 in Quebec City. Members were selected based
upon their performance at the USABA National Goalball Championships,
May 28-30 in Radnor, PA, and a trials camp, June 27-July 1 in
Cleveland, Ohio. The World Championships will be the final chance
for teams to qualify for the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games. Seventeen
countries are expected to vie for the remaining five team slots.
Goalball is a team sport played by blind and visually impaired athletes around the world. A team of three athletes on each side of the court aims to launch a ball at speeds of more than 30mph into the opposing side's goal on an indoor volleyball-sized court. All athletes are blindfolded to create a state of total blackness and nine bells encased in a ball the size of a basketball help the athletes track the ball's location.
The team of six players, includes a mix of past Paralympians and newcomers to the international scene. John Mulhern (Upper Darby, PA) and Joe Hamilton (Wayne, MI) both bring a great deal of experience to the team, having participated in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics as well as the 2002 World Goalball Championships.
Although he has yet to compete at the Paralympics, Tyler Merren (Wayland, MI) also brings a wealth of experience to the team, having competing at the international level since 2001 where he was instrumental in the team's silver medal at the Pan American Games for the Blind.
Rounding out the team are two-time Paralympic pentathlete Edward Munro (St. Augustine, FL) who left track and field to concentrate on goalball last year and his Florida teammates Donte Mickens (Tallahassee, FL) and Daryl Walker (Jacksonville, FL).
Five of the six team members were also part of the U.S. Team that won the silver medal at the Lietuvos Telekonas tournament in Vilnius, Lithuania, June 6.The team is led by Head Coach John Bakos (Parma, OH) and Assistant Coach Tom Parrigin (St. Augustine, FL) Bakos has extensive previous coaching experience ranging from junior high school to college level in various sports. Most recently, he was Head Coach of the team in Lithuania and assistant coach of the team that won the gold medal at the 2002 Spanish Invitational in Madrid. Bakos was also the team's assistant coach at the 2001 Pan American Games where the men brought home a silver medal. Parrigin has a long history with the team, serving as the head coach at the Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Paralympic Games. Parrigin has been the team's assistant coach since 2002. The team will come together for another training camp prior to the World Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY, July 28-August 2.
USABA, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports. USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic Games, the world's second largest athletic competition that draws more than 4,000 disabled athletes.
|
|
Jeanne Carnevale Named NDSA Athlete of the Month for
June
CONTACT: Janice Halpern (508) 698-6810, classic.pr@verizon.net
(Kingston, RI) July 14, 2003 - Jeanne Carnevale of Springfield, MA, has been named National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) Athlete of the Month for June, 2003. Carnevale won the Division B National Championship in Bowling at the sixth annual NDSA National Sports Festival where she beat out 12 other national finalists in her division. The NDSA National Sports Festival, June 20-28, 2003, at Connecticut College, New London, CT, brought over 600 adult and junior athletes together for a week of national championship and open competitions in a variety of sports. Carnevale, 53, has cerebral palsy and has been bowling competitively for just a short time. In fact, the NDSA National Sports Festival was only her third sanctioned tournament. "I was right on my game for the national tournament," Carnevale said. "I bowl in a local league and the practice has really helped. Next year I hope to set a new national record!"
In addition to winning her division, Carnevale won the prize money awarded through the McCole-Black Memorial Fund. Prize monies from this fund, which was created in memory of the families of NDSA Executive Director, Jerry McCole, and his wife, Jamy Black McCole, are awarded to a different sport winner each year at the NDSA National Sports Festival.
Each month in an effort to recognize and reward stellar achievements, acts of enrichment, or meritorious participation by athletes with a physical disability, NDSA has proudly instituted its Athlete of the Month Award Program. As NDSA Athlete of the Month, Carnevale will receive a certificate from NDSA citing her achievement.
The National Disability Sports Alliance is responsible for
the conduct and administration of approved sports in the United
States. NDSA formulates the rules,
implements policies and procedures, conducts national championships
in twelve sports, disseminates safety and sports medicine information,
and selects athletes to represent the United States in international
competition. NDSA is a CBO (Community Based Organization) member
of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). For more information
on NDSA please contact (401) 792-7130 or visit the NDSA website
at www.ndsaonline.org.
|
|
Phil Craven Elected as IOC
Member
CONTACT: Dr. Susanne Reiff, IPC Media and Communication Director, Phone: +49 (228) 209 7230 - FAX: +49 (228) 209 7209, e-mail: Susanne.reiff@paralympic.org
A Paralympic athlete from Great Britain, Craven competed in wheelchair basketball and swimming, and has a thorough understanding of athletes' concerns."I am honoured and excited about the opportunity to represent the Paralympic Movement in the IOC," said Craven. "In the last 18 months, the partnership between the IPC and the IOC has gone from strength to strength. My election today confirms it."
The IPC and the IOC have enjoyed many years of close co-operation. In 2001, the IPC and the IOC agreed to the concept of "one bid, one city." (From 2008 onwards, the process of the Paralympic Host City selection is integrated into that of the Olympics.)
From 17 to 28 September 2004, the XII Paralympic Summer Games will be held in Athens, Greece. More than 4,000 athletes from about 140 countries will be competing for medals across 19 sports, making the Paralympics the second-largest international sporting event of the year. The competitions will see participation from the world's best athletes with various disabilities, who have qualified for the Games based on their top performances.
For further information visit www.paralympic.org
|
|
Paralympics 2010: Vancouver
Chosen as the Host City
CONTACT: Dr. Susanne Reiff, IPC Media and Communication Director, Phone: +49 (228) 209 7230 - FAX: +49 (228) 209 7209, e-mail: Susanne.reiff@paralympic.org
(Bonn, Germany) July 3, 2003 - Yesterday at the 115th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session, Vancouver was elected to be the host city of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games. As specified in the Host City Contract for the Olympic Games, from 2008 onwards the Paralympic Games will be held in the host city of the Olympic Games.
IPC President Phil Craven, upon hearing the announcement said,
"I am very excited. Vancouver has shown that it is fully
involved in providing the best competition conditions for Paralympic
athletes." The cities competing for the right to host the
2010 Games were PyeongChang (Korea), Vancouver (Canada) and Salzburg
(Austria).
Among the members of the 2010 Evaluation Commission was Rita van
Driel, the IPC Winter Sports Representative. She worked closely
with other members of the Commission to provide information to
the IOC members, which helped them make their decision. "From
the beginning, I experienced the Paralympic Games were being taken
as seriously as the Olympics," said van Driel. "By explaining
the rationale behind my questions and talking about the special
needs of our athletes, the Commission members became more and
more involved in the Paralympic issues as well."
Since the 1988 Games in Seoul, the Paralympics have taken place shortly after the Olympics in the same host city. Today, there is only one organizing committee staging both events. In fact, the word "Paralympic" is derived from Greek: "para" meaning "parallel" and the word "Olympic." 2010 will be the 10th Paralympic Winter Games, the first taking place in 1976. The sports currently on the winter programme are Alpine Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Nordic Skiing and Wheelchair Curling.
For further information visit www.paralympic.org
|
|
Doping
Offense at IPC Nordic Skiing World ChampionshipsCONTACT: Dr. Susanne Reiff, IPC Media and Communication Director, Phone: +49 (228) 209 7230 - FAX: +49 (228) 209 7209, e-mail: Susanne.reiff@paralympic.org
(Bonn, Germany) June 30, 2003 - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) today announced a doping offense, which occurred at the 2003 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships, which took place in Baiersbronn (Germany) from 7 to 15 February 2003.
Ms. Candace Cable from the United States returned an adverse analytical finding in her urine sample taken during the competition, containing the banned substance(s) exogenous testosterone or testosterone precursors.
In accordance with the IPC Medical & Anti-Doping Code, and after a hearing of the IPC Medical Committee, Ms. Cable is retrospectively disqualified from the 2003 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships and other IPC sanctioned events after 9 February 2003, the day of the doping offense. All medals received since this date, including three gold medals won at these World Championships, shall be returned to the IPC. It was further decided that Ms. Cable is suspended from all IPC events, in all sports, for a period of two years commencing 9 February 2003.
On 20 May, Ms. Cable applied for early reinstatement in accordance with the IPC Medical and Anti-Doping Code, based on exceptional circumstances surrounding the doping offense. Ms. Cable's chiropractor provided her a cream which he knew to contain banned substances. He provided this cream to Ms. Cable after telling her that the cream did not contain any banned substances notwithstanding his knowledge to the contrary.
All available evidence was submitted by Ms. Cable and subsequently the IPC Management Committee upheld the recommendation of the IPC Medical Committee that true exceptional circumstances were present in this case as Ms. Cable had no knowledge of the presence of banned substances in the cream.As a result Ms. Cable was granted immediate reinstatement to sport eligibility on 12 June 2003.
This ruling is in accordance with the IPC Medical & Anti-Doping Code. As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code, the IPC remains committed to a doping free sporting environment at all levels.
 |
|
|
WCD - The Premier
Educational and Product Forum for the Entire Disability Comminity
CONTACT: Annie Scully at 845-368-0608 or via e-mail: annie@praxismktg.com.
(Paramus, NJ) June 30, 2003 - Building on its past success, the 4th Annual World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities (www.wcdexpo.com) has added more targeted content and special features making it the definitive educational and product event for the entire disability community. Taking place September 18-20, 2003, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, WCD will bring together people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, physicians, direct support professionals, healthcare professionals, educators, adapted physical education specialists, and suppliers.
"The seminars are great at the WCD. The exhibit floor is extensive. The overall experience is incredible," said Judith R. Duncan, President/CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation. "It's wonderful that the WCD continues to stay fresh and exciting."
The highly regarded WCD conference program has developed seven
conference tracks as an overarching theme to this year's program.
More than 150
sessions will cover a myriad of disciplines in the following focused
tracks: Adapted Physical Activity, Assistive Technology, Education,
Family, Healthcare, Rehab and Therapy, and Employment. Topics
being presented range from pediatrics to geriatrics and also include
autism, ADD/ADHD, dystonia, epilepsy, genetic disorders, rare
diseases, IDEA, learning disabilities, movement disorders, food
allergies, newborn screening, perinatal care, dental care, financial
and estate planning, and spasticity.
The conference program will also include three keynote speakers
and one keynote panel over the three days. Leading medical experts,
researchers
and government officials will share their insight on the New Freedom
Initiative, the Department of Labor's new Office of Disability
Employment Policy,
Updates on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, and Spinal
Cord Injury Repair.
New features added to this year's WCD Expo include the Interactive
Roundtable Sessions, hosted by associations and organizations
and designed to allow attendees to share personal experiences
and ideas on diverse areas of interest. These roundtables will
be held on the show floor and will shed light on the challenges
the disability community faces today.
Another new show floor feature, ATEN Assistive Technology Lab,
will provide participants with hands-on opportunities to try devices
and equipment providing augmentative and alternative communication,
hearing and vision aid, as well as computer access and adapted
toys for children. The Assistive
Technology Educational Network of Florida (ATEN) is a grant-funded
program providing training and resources on assistive technology
for individuals
in the school systems and other professionals throughout the state
of Florida.
HALO: Housing and Assistive Lifestyle Opportunities is a new
exposition within WCD that will bring agencies and businesses
that provide, fund,
and oversee housing, healthcare, and other assistive services
for senior citizens and people with disabilities together with
housing options ranging
from continuing care communities to retrofitting existing homes
and environments.
Another testament to the increased stature and importance of WCD with the disability community is the first-time sponsorship of two leading organizations. Both the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the National Organization on Disability (NOD), which provides information and offers services to all people with disabilities, are actively promoting and endorsing WCD to their members.
The WCD show floor will also showcase products and services from more than 200 exhibitors along with 30 national and regional organizations, non-profits, and professional societies. A wide variety of industries will be represented including automotive, mobility, personal care, pharmaceutical, publishing, and the durable medical equipment sector. The popular Sports & Recreation Activity Center, Employment Pavilion, and Assistive Technology Learning Center will also be part of the dynamic exhibit floor.
"The response from the attendees at the 2002 WCD Expo
was great, and we had an opportunity to discuss the value of our
products with a multitude
of individuals and organizations. We also wanted to thank the
WCD for the professional manner in which the conference was put
together, the quality of the workshops and speakers, and the great
diversity of presentations." "There was truly something
for everyone at the gathering. We look forward to the next event,"
said Hank Bruce and Tomi Jill Folk of ACF Environmental.
About the World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities
The
WCD is produced by H.A. Bruno, LLC in association with EP (Exceptional
Parent) Magazine. The conference program is jointly sponsored
by both the EP Foundation for Education, Inc. and the WCD Foundation
for Education, Inc., 501 (C)3 not-for-profit organizations, with
the assistance of EP Magazine and the University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health
Sciences and supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics,
the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD),
the Child Neurology Society, the National Institutes of Health,
and other professional societies and organizations. For more information
or to register for the WCD, go to www.wcdexpo.com
or call 1-877-923-3976.
|
|
|