Paralympics goal for US veterans
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US soldiers hurt in Iraq or Afghanistan combat will be provided sport training under two new programs, one of them aiming to boost the US medal count at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. The US Olympic Committee (USOC) will provide support for qualified elite physically disabled athletes at four Olympic resident training centers as part of the Veterans Paralympic Performance Program. «This partnership also builds upon the character, dedication and skill of physically disabled veterans who are more interested in their abilities than their disabilities,» US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson said. The Beijing Paralympics will follow the Beijing Olympic Games on September 6-17, 2008. China topped the medals table at the Athens Paralympics followed by Britain and Canada.
