2 Indianapolis Residents Chosen to Attend Paralympics
– U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, announced recently that Josh Swoverland (Avon, IN), 16, is one of 25 student athletes with a physical disability selected to attend the 2008 International Paralympic Academy, September 5-11, in Beijing, China. Swoverland was honored to be selected to such a prestigious event, saying, “It’s awesome. I was very excited (to be chosen).”
U.S. Paralympics also announced that Collin Shepherd, Youth Track & Field Coach at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Program (RHISP), was one of 10 coaches selected from across the country to attend the Paralympic Academy in Beijing. Shepherd, who has participated in RHISP as both a coach and coordinator for the last two years, said, “I was a bit surprised when I was accepted into the program, particularly due to my limited time involved with paralympic sports and RHISP. However, anyone that saw me take the phone call from the Paralympic Academy could tell how excited I was to be accepted.”
The 2008 Paralympic Academy Beijing offers a very select group of young student athletes with physical disabilities and coaches to experience the Paralympic Games firsthand. Participants have the opportunity to meet U.S. Paralympic team members in addition to attending ceremonies and competition, gaining an insider’s perspective on the Games. “Less than five-percent of kids with physical disabilities participate in physical fitness programs,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of U.S. Paralympics. “The Paralympic Academy Beijing provides us an opportunity to recognize those kids with physical disabilities and programs that promote physical fitness programs and health.” The first International Paralympic Academy took place at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. The second event was held at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Student athletes, coaches and program leaders were chosen based on their essay entries focused on how sports have impacted their lives. Entries were judged by an independent panel.