US Paralympics, a division of the US Olympic Committee (USOC), has announced that USA Paratriathlon, a program of USA Triathlon, has been selected to receive grant funding in support of Paralympic sport and physical activity programs for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
More than US$7.5 million in funds from the US Department of Veterans Affairs has been awarded to 70 community organizations and National Governing Bodies around the US.
Through this program, grants ranging from US$13,000 to US$500,000 were provided to USOC partner organizations and community programs to increase the number and quality of opportunities for physically or visually impaired Veterans to participate in physical activity within their home communities and in more advanced Paralympic sport programs at the regional and national levels.
“USA Paratriathlon is thrilled to receive this grant funding again this year,” said Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Triathlon Paratriathlon Program Manager. “Without the help of the US Paralympics Integrated Adaptive Sports Program and the Department of Veteran Affairs, we would not be able to introduce the sport of paratriathlon, at the local level, to as many veteran athletes as well as help our veteran elite paratriathletes get to North American competitions to earn valuable World Rankings points.”
“Funding opportunities like these from the Department of Veterans Affairs and US Paralympics allow us to create robust programming for our paratriathlon community that will have a lasting impact,” said Rob Urbach, USA Triathlon CEO. “We look forward to assisting those who have served our country by enabling them with a sport they can participate in for years to come.”
“This funding has allowed thousands of veterans and service members with physical disabilities to participate in Paralympic sport at the community level,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, USOC. “Through the leadership at Veterans Affairs and within Congress, these funds have a tremendous impact on the availability of programs across the country, not to mention thousands of lives.”
With the grant funding, USA Paratriathlon aims to provide appropriate opportunities for all, whether it be to simply learn the requisite skills to swim, bike and run safely for recreation or to train and compete at an elite level with an objective to represent the US at the Paralympic Games.
The program is built on three fundamental pillars: to expose athletes to the sport through camps focusing on introductory concepts and skill development; enable pursuit of excellence through high performance support of those who show Paralympic potential; and pursue excellence of a strong USA Triathlon Military Program with expert leadership from the top down.
Research has shown that regular participation in physical activity has a positive effect on rehabilitation, self-esteem, education, employment and overall health.
The grant funding for this program is awarded by US Paralympics, a division of the US Olympic Committee, through funding provided by Veterans Affairs. The grants are provided to facilitate the growth of Paralympic sport programming for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
usatriathlon.org/paratriathlon
