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Every four years the world gathers for the largest sporting event on the planet. The Paralympics are this event for the physically impaired community. With sports that were long reserved for the able bodied athletes, the Paralympics offers up its version of elite competition to those who have trained for this pinnacle of a moment.

Within this years games is a sport called Wheelchair Rugby. The game, which began in the early 1980's, has evolved from the back parking lots of hospitals to a nationally televised Paralympic event played before thousands. Once a game for disabled individuals, the sport is now played in more than 24 countries by world class athletes who train at levels that many find overwhelming.

The United States is currently picking its class of 2000 to compete in wheelchair rugby at the Sydney games. Athletes from around the country are competing for one of the12 coveted spots on the National team.

A tryout for the team was held in early December where an initial group of 45 USA "club athletes" was cut to 24. From this group United States Paralympic coaches Reggie Richner and Wendy Gumbert are hopeful in assembling a team that will continue the winning tradition the US has enjoyed since world competition began.

That tradition has included 1 Paralympic Gold Medal, 2 World Championships, and an impressive 54 and 2 record over its 10 years of International exposure. This level of play "demands the best from the athletes and the staff", said Coach Richner. "If we are to continue this level of excellence, it will take more than just relying on our past glories". He further went on to state that as the level of exposure and coaching has increased here in the US, it has also evolved in other countries as well".

And coaching makes a difference. Terry Vinyard, former Team USA and Paralympic coach has moved on to work with the Australians. The Aussies have consistently finished in the top 5 in international play, but with the addition of Vinyard, their game has become more polished and refined. The US can expect to see them in Sydney before a huge home crowd at the "Dome".

Other top contenders for the Gold Medal will be the New Zealand Wheel Blacks and the Canadian National team. Both have won Silver Medals at the past Paralympics and World Championships respectfully. The Kiwi's, under the leadership of Tony Howe, bring an up paced tempo that can scarcely be matched by many teams. The Canadians bring a seasoned squad, and past tournament MVP Garrett Hickling.

"The road is long and has many bumps along the way", says former 1995 World Championship team member David Bynum who just missed the cut at the December tryouts. He like many other top US athletes expressed the level of intensity, and sometimes uncertainty when playing with other USA club team members as trying to reach for the zenith of the sport. "There all great players, and each of them bring something to the game, it's finding the right combination of playing your role, communicating, and pure athleticism", said Coach Wendy Gumbert.

When asked where the USA will finish in Sydney, tryout hopefuls all look forward to advancing into the medal games. With execution and commitment Team USA Rugby should make it into the Gold Medal game. Joe Soares, former Paralympic member and a tryout hopeful for Sydney said, "it's an honor to play at any time in any game, but we have a standard to live up to". "We look forward to defend the Gold".

Other tryout hopefuls are commenting on the amount of training they have, and are continuing to put into being a part of Team USA. For class 2.0 rugby player Brian Kirkland, "it is a dream to be on a team like the Paralympic squad". "I do road work, some weights and continue to train with my club team, the Lakeshore Demolition (1999 USQRA National Champions)." For each person involved, it is not unheard of for these athletes to train sometimes year round without any off-season. Which leads to the question of burnout. When asked of this Coach Richner replied "it is certainly a reality for some athletes, but for the ones that are dedicated it is something that they find a way to work through."

So as the time for the Paralympics draws near, the level of play picks up and the tension mounts. In many rugby followers' eyes, it's a coin toss as to who will be in the Gold Medal game. One thing for sure is that the level of play displayed in Sydney this October will be the best the world has ever seen.

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