ILLINOIS PARALYMPIANS TO REPRESENT U.S. AT PARA PAN AMERICAN GAMES
COMPETITIONS RIO DE JANEIRO TO FEATURE 13,000 INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC ATHLETES
CHICAGO (August 12, 2007) – August 12 – 19 marks the third edition of the Para Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Para Pan American Games are expected to attract 1,200 athletes who will compete in 10 sports. All competitions will act as qualifiers for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
Among the elite Paralympians competing at the Para Pan American Games from around the world will be two Illinois athletes, sitting volleyball players Curtis Lease and Paul Moran. Both athletes have volunteered considerable time to Chicago 2016.
Curtis Lease became a member of the U.S. Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team in 2000, and in 2003 the team won a gold medal at the Para Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Lease played four years of wheelchair basketball at the University of Illinois, earning All-American honors each year, and at the 1993 national championship tournament, he captured the Most Valuable Player and Sportsmanship honors.
Paul Moran is a four-time Paralympian in the sport of sitting volleyball. He is currently working to qualify for his 5th Paralympics, but this time as a tennis player. He has also helped his wheelchair softball team, the RIC Cubs, win two national championships in 2002 and 2005. Paul was born in St. Louis but grew up in Winnetka where he was a regular participant in the various park district sports programs. He now works for the Park District at the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center and teaches tennis to both wheelchair and able-bodied tennis players.
The Para Pan American Games will be the most important event for disabled people in the history of Rio de Janeiro. Between August 12 and 19, 1,300 athletes and 700 delegation members from 26 participating countries will be involved in the competitions. Thousands of people are expected to visit the city to follow the event.
Other members of the U.S. delegation to the Parapan American Games include but are not limited to:
GREG DEWALL, Judo
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Judo Team
JORDAN MOUTON, Judo
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Judo Team
MARTHELL VAZQUEZ, Soccer
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Soccer Team
AMANDA EVERLOVE, Swimming
2007: Member of the U.S. Parapan American Games Team, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
TOM MIAZGA, Swimming
2007: Member of the U.S. Parapan American Games team
MIRANDA UHL, Swimming
2007: Member of the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team
ANDREW BARRANCO, Assistant Coach, U.S. Parapan American Swimming Team
2007: Assistant coach – Parapan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
PEGGY EWALD, Head Coach, U.S. Parapan American Swimming Team
2007: Head coach – Parapan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
MATTHEW BROWN, Track and Field
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Team
DOUG FORBIS, Track and Field
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Team
MATTHEW PORTERFIELD, Track and Field
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Team
JOSH ROBERTS, Track and Field
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Team
AUSTIN SNYDER, Track and Field
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Tea
KATY SULLIVAN, Track and Field
2007: Member of U.S. Parapan American Track & Field Team
About the Chicago 2016 Committee
The Chicago 2016 Committee is a 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Chicago. The Committee’s Board comprises business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Its honorary chairmen are Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Patrick Ryan serves as chairman and CEO.
City of Chicago, U.S. Applicant City, 2016 Olympic Games
www.chicago2016.org
###