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Paralympic Sport in the USA
Programs and organizations throughout the United States offer sport for individuals with physical disabilities. Many Paralympic athletes also compete in interscholastic, intercollegiate and NGB competitions among non-disabled competitors. Athletes interested in programs and competitions in their area should visit the website of the sport’s NGB for open competition and go to the U.S. Paralympics page on Organizations and Events, hosted by the University of Central Oklahoma. Other websites that feature national and local programs include those of USOC member organizations: The U.S. Association for Blind Athletes, Disabled Sports USA, the National Disability Sports Alliance, and Wheelchair Sports USA.
Paralympic Activities
Included in the database of events are several types of activities and several levels of competitions.
Clinic – A clinic is generally a one-to-two day event focused on skill development in one or more sports. Clinics are most often introductory activities intended for novices in a sport, but clinics may also focus on intermediate and advanced skill development.
Camp – A camp may last anywhere from three days to three weeks or longer and is generally designed to allow focused time for training and skill development.Introductory camps may focus on more than one sport, but intermediate and advanced camps will be sport-specific. U.S. Paralympics National Team camps are by invitation only to athletes who have demonstrated international-level performances in that sport. Other organizations may offer camps at any level.
Other – Events listed as “Other” in this database will have descriptions included in their listings, but are generally not sport events. “Other” events may be fundraisers, presentations, educational sessions, coaches clinics or program administrator meetings. Among “Other” events are the Paralympic Academies, which are state, national, and international celebrations of Paralympic sport for athletes ages 12-18 and those who support them. See the Paralympic Academy website for more details.
Paralympic Competitions
Competitions are ranked as follows in accordance with the best information available to U.S. Paralympics.
Platinum – International or national level competitions that require an invitation or performance-based qualification.
Gold – Competitions at which there likely will be international or national level competition but which do not require invitation or pre-qualification.
Silver – Regional or intermediate level competitions.Silver level events are generally good for developing athletes to test their skills and performance without extensive travel, although the results from Silver level events may or may not be recognized by U.S. Paralympics or the International Paralympic Committee for qualifying performances.
Bronze – Local or novice level competitions, often associated with a clinic or camp and open to first-time competitors although there may be more experienced athletes competing as well. Most often, results from Bronze level events are not recognized by U.S. Paralympics or the IPC as qualification for national or international purposes.
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