Program Overview

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has conducted programs for severely injured military service members and veterans since 2003, introducing them to adaptive sport techniques and opportunities that will enable these veterans with new physical disabilities to continue living active lives through sport. 

The USOC is expanding its Paralympic Military Program to support the many veterans making the transition from military treatment facilities to civilian life.  The USOC has proposed a battery of programs to support the Department of Veterans Affairs, and consequently these veterans, in accessing and utilizing Paralympic sports as a tool for promoting health and well being.  The USOC is also initiating the Veterans Paralympic Performance Program (VP3) to support Paralympic-eligible veterans who choose to pursue national and international competition in Paralympic sports.

The VP3 is the pinnacle of USOC Paralympic Military Programs, supporting talented, committed, severely injured veterans in their effort to represent the United States of America at a Paralympic Games.  Through VP3, these veteran-athletes demonstrate to themselves and others the will and abilities that inspire others with physical disabilities and, indeed, all Americans.

Eligibility, Commitment and Support

An athlete must generally dedicate 30 or more hours per week for multiple years under expert coaching to qualify for a U.S. Paralympic Team.  VP3 is a new venture to cultivate and support Paralympic-eligible, athletically-capable military veterans in their efforts to represent the USA at upcoming Paralympic Games.  Based on the Army and Air Force World-Class Athlete Programs, VP3 will group veterans, selected for their qualifications and commitment, in residence at a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center or Site with comprehensive training support including leadership by a U.S. Paralympics coach.  VP3 is a multi-year, year-round, full-time program that could position as many as 75 veterans to contend for positions on the U.S. Paralympic Team.

To qualify for the program, a veteran must have a Paralympic-eligible physical disability. These disabilities include: amputations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and visual impairment. To find out which disabilities pertain to each sport, click here and select a sport from the left-hand menu. 

Organization of the Program

VP3 will have several dedicated training groups of veterans, each in specific sports, training with a full-time coach at a designated site. VP3 will also link veterans with existing U.S. Paralympics National Team resident programs at Olympic and Paralympic Training Centers and Sites.  Acceptance into the program will be competitive, based on coaching assessments, references, sport history, and commitment to the full program.  The USOC and its partners will provide daily training, support for local, regional and national competition, and partial support for daily living.  Veterans will train full time while also working part-time or attending school; specific emphasis will be placed on enrollment in degree programs for interested veteran-athletes with the support provided through their Veterans’ Education Benefits.   

VP3 Sites and Host Programs

The program is targeted to roll out on June 1, 2007 at the following six Olympic and Paralympic Training Sites:

Dedicated Programs

Lakeshore Foundation Olympic and Paralympic, Birmingham, Ala. - Track and field (wheelchair athletes)
Challenge Aspen, Aspen, Colo. (in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Training Center) - Alpine skiing
U.S. Olympic Education Center, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich. - Cross-country skiing, biathlon

National Team Resident Programs

U.S. Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista, Calif. - Track (ambulatory runners)
U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colo. - Cycling, swimming
University of Central Oklahoma Paralympic Training Site, Edmond, Okla. - Sitting volleyball

Additional sites and programs may be activated in the future depending on available funding and qualified veterans.