USA Track and Field will bring US Paralympics track and field program under its roof in January

USA Track and Field is bringing nan U.S. Paralympics Track & Field programme in-house opening Jan. 1 arsenic portion of a business that will merge each of its athletes

USA Track and Field is bringing nan U.S. Paralympics Track & Field programme in-house opening Jan. 1 arsenic portion of a business that will merge each of its athletes nether 1 roof.

The sport's nationalist governing body announced Wednesday that it’s taking complete nan Para way programme from nan United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The merger gives Para way and section athletes nan aforesaid benignant of entree to nan support and improvement arsenic U.S. way and section athletes.

It's a determination that comes connected nan heels of a successful capacity astatine nan Paris Games past summer. American way and section athletes captured 34 medals, including 14 gold, while U.S. track and section Paralympians hauled successful 38 medals and 10 gold.

“With nan USOPC and USATF joining forces for our Paralympics Track & Field National Team and improvement programs, we are mounting nan shape for unprecedented opportunity and development,” USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said successful a statement. “We’ve committed to moving toward this exemplary of integration, because we cognize it will let Para athletes to afloat entree a powerhouse of resources, support and training arsenic they prosecute excellence and correspond Team USA.”

USATF becomes nan 17th nationalist governing assemblage to location its Paralympic counterpart. In May 2023, U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced a akin move, bringing nan U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team and U.S. Para Snowboard Team onto its roster. The statement cited nan move arsenic a “significant measurement guardant successful promoting inclusivity and adjacent opportunities wrong wintertime sports and underscores nan One Team mindset.”

Track and section echoed nan aforesaid benignant of sentiment.

“This is an unthinkable infinitesimal for our sport,” Max Siegel, CEO of USATF, said. “USATF has a beardown committedness to providing inclusive and broad support, and by uniting our Olympic and Paralympic programs, we are mounting nan modular for what an integrated sports programme tin achieve. We judge nan benefits of being 1 squad will thrust occurrence connected and disconnected nan section of play.”

Hunter Woodhall, a Paralympic golden medalist successful nan T62 400 meters astatine nan Paris Games, envisions large things done nan relationship.

“This alteration intends truthful overmuch to maine and to nan full Para way and section community,” Woodhall said. "It’s incredibly breathtaking to spot nan investment, dedication, and early we’re building together."

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games