UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

 August 2004

U.S. PARALYMPICS: 2004 U.S. Paralympic Teams to Give Sports Clinic to Soldiers before Departure to 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece

by Beth Bourgeois - U.S. Paralympics (719-866-2039)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2004

FORT BELVOIR, Va. – U.S. Paralympics is hosting a wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby clinic for American soldiers currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Wednesday, September 8th, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, VA.

This event will feature wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby demonstrations for soldiers injured serving our country. Members of the 2004 U.S. Paralympic Men’s and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Teams and Wheelchair Rugby Team will be in attendance to share their expertise and support.

The 2004 U.S. Paralympic Team departs for Athens, Greece on September 10th to compete in the Paralympic Games, Sept. 17-28.

Media are encouraged to attend. Interviews with soldiers and Paralympic athletes will be available. Those interested in attending MUST notify Beth Bourgeois of U.S. Paralympics no later than Monday, September 6th—no late media requests will be honored.

WHAT: Sports clinic for soldiers injured in the line of duty

WHO: Soldiers currently undergoing rehabilitation - Members of the 2004 U.S. Paralympic Men’s & Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team and Members of the Wheelchair Rugby Team

WHEN: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Wednesday, September 8th, 2004

WHERE: Wells Field House, Fort Belvoir, Alexandria, VA

Media should enter through the Tulley Gate and obtain a temporary vehicle pass. Be sure to bring driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. (Please allow at least 45 minutes to process through the Visitor’s Center.)

Contacts: Beth Bourgeois, U.S. Paralympics – (719)866-2039 or beth.bourgeois@usoc.org

Background: The Paralympic Games is the second largest sporting event in the world (second to the Olympic Games), showcasing the talents of over 4,000 elite athletes with physical disabilities from over 130 countries – a number that exceeds all previous years of participation in the history of the Games.

Athletes will compete in around 500 medal events in 18 sports. They include: archery, athletics, boccia, cycling, equestrian, goalball, judo, powerlifting, sailing, shooting, soccer, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

About U.S. Paralympics: U.S. Paralympics is a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee and is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and promoting excellence in the lives of all persons with physical disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics website at www.usparalympics.org.

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For more information, please contact Beth Bourgeois, U.S. Paralympics at (719)866-2039.

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