Category: Sports
A grant from the U.S. Paralympic Military Program, a program of U.S. Paralympics’ designed to assist in the rehabilitation process for injured service men and women, will help support the partnership at the four locations as well as provide equipment and coaching and training support. U.S. Paralympics and the PVA will collaborate with local, community-based organizations and medical facilities in each of the four cities to help implement and sustain the programs.
In this role, Griffin will direct the training and competition preparation of the U.S. Paralympics Cycling National Team, a group that won fourteen medals at the recently completed 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing under his leadership as head coach.
Paralympic cycling includes road and track disciplines for athletes with physical and visual disabilities riding standard bicycles, tandem bicycles, racing tricycles, and handcycles. Griffin will lead U.S. Paralympics athlete identification and development efforts in cycling, and he will coordinate closely with new efforts being instituted by USA Cycling, the National Governing Body for the sport of cycling, to build participation in Paralympic cycling competition through USA Cycling clubs and programs.
“NBC and GE’s broadcast of the 2008 Paralympics provides all Americans an opportunity to be introduced to some outstanding performances and amazing role models that represented the U.S. at the 2008 Games,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, U.S. Olympic Committee. “The fact that NBC and GE are airing this show on network television also speaks to the growing importance and value of the Paralympic movement in the U.S.”
“The seven foot barrier is one of those magical markers like the four-minute mile that represents a very select ‘club’ of incredible athletes,” said Troy Engle, Associate Director and Head Coach, Paralympic Track and Field. “The fact that Jeff has joined that elite group, as a Paralympian, I can only describe as Beamon-esque – it is a feat of athlete prowess the likes of which has rarely been seen!”
“Jeff Underwood is an outstanding representative of the Paralympic Movement and our nation as Chef de Mission for the 2008 Paralympic Games,” said Charlie Huebner, USOC Chief of Paralympics. “His continued leadership has impacted the lives of thousand of persons with physical disabilities in the United States and around the world.”
