The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF),a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved in sport, has formed the CAF Elite Paratriathlon Team. The team, which will focus on the development of top performing US paratriathletes in anticipation of the inaugural inclusion of paratriathlon in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, was made possible through a generous donation from a private foundation.
The team sponsors – which include Nike, Dodge, PowerBar, ZICO, Game Ready, XTERRA Wetsuits and J&L Pie Company – will allow CAF to provide top apparel and shoes, nutrition, coaching and training stipends, equipment and race expenses for team members this year.
“Since our inception, the Challenged Athletes Foundation has been a pioneer in the paratriathlon movement, introducing hundreds of athletes to the sport and helping them to maximize their potential” said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director of CAF.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to further the development of both the sport and this talented group of athletes who could very well top the podium when paratriathlon makes its Paralympic debut in Rio in 2016.”
The CAF Elite Paratriathlon Team has selected seven CAF-supported physically challenged athletes for its inaugural season – including both male and female athletes from a variety of disability classes. The selection of team members was based on past performance in national and international paratriathlon races, growth potential within the sport and the athletes’ ability to represent CAF’s mission and the organisation’s sponsors.
In consideration of these criteria, the Challenged Athletes Foundation is proud to announce the members of the 2013 CAF Elite Paratriathlon Team:
- Andre Kajlich – Bilateral above-knee amputee, USAT Paratriathlon Male Athlete of the Year, Ranked Number 1 in 2012 ITU World Rankings (TRI 1 classification)
- Mark Barr – Above-knee amputee, 2012 National Champion (TRI 2 classification)
- Sarah Reinertsen – Above-knee amputee, 2011 ITU World Championship silver medalist (TRI 2 classification)
- Jamie Brown – Below-knee amputee, 2011 & 2012 National Paratriathlon Champion (TRI 5 classification)
- JP Theberge – Below-knee amputee, ITU World Championship silver medalist (TRI 5 classification)
- Patricia Walsh – Blind, USAT Paratriathlon Female Athlete of the Year, Ranked Number 1 in 2012 ITU World Rankings (TRI 6 classification)
- Thomas Cain – Arm amputee; 16-year-old ‘futures’ member (TRI 4 category)
The CAF Elite Paratriathlon Team’s official race season will include ITU World Triathlon San Diego, CapTexTri – US Paratriathlon National Championship, Accenture Challenged Athletes National Championship at the Aquaphor New York City Triathlon, ITU World Triathlon Grand Final London and the Aspen Medical Products San Diego Triathlon Challenge. Team members will also race at other events of their choice.
The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports. AF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
Since 1994, more than US$40 million has been raised and almost 7,000 funding requests from challenged athletes in all US 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year.
Whether it’s a US$2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fibre running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.
www.challengedathletes.org/CAF_Paratri
