U.S. Paralympics and City of Colorado Springs Partner to Create Paralympic Sport - Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the City of Colorado Springs have partnered to create Paralympic Sport - Colorado Springs.

Paralympic Sport - Colorado Springs is a community-based sports club developed to involve youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities in sports and physical activity, regardless of skill level.

"We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the City of Colorado Springs to help bring Paralympic sport opportunities to individuals with physical disabilities living right here in our own community," said Mike Mushett, U.S. Paralympics Director of Community Programs.

With 21 million physically disabled Americans, including more than 31,000 military personnel who've been injured during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, this is an important community need.

The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department strives to provide quality sport and recreation programs for youth and adults, with and without disabilities, which improve the health and enhance the quality of life of all residents.  This new program will specifically meet the needs of youth and adults with physical disabilities with an emphasis on serving injured military service members, many of whom are returning to Colorado Springs and are seeking to participate in sport and recreation programs that encourage physical activity, competition and athletic development.

"This is a great partnership that is going to help meet some very specific and unique recreation needs in our community," said Paul Butcher, Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services for the City of Colorado Springs.

Paralympic Sport - Colorado Springs will also serve a great number of injured military personnel stationed at the Warrior Transition Unit at Ft. Carson.