Today, we celebrate the announcement that the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has formally changed its name to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. We applaud the USOPC and its leadership for recognizing Paralympic athletes and the Movement with this change.
From the beginning, Lakeshore Foundation has believed that sport has the power to create change, impacting individual lives and promoting inclusion in society. We can all look back with pride at each paving stone laying the groundwork for the USOC decision. Long before Lakeshore was designated as a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site (2003), we were a place where athletes with physical disabilities could train, establish community and leverage athletic success to promote equity. Our long history within the movement includes membership on the Paralympic Working Group that called for the creation of U.S. Paralympics as a division of the USOC. Our athletes and staff served and continue to serve on the Athlete Advisory Committee and Paralympic Advisory Committee, playing key roles in high level decision making. In 2006, we became the High Performance Management Organization of USA Wheelchair Rugby, and we continue to be actively involved in USOPC strategic planning efforts.
It is our privilege to be a part of so many Paralympic journeys, and we believe today’s announcement is not only recognition of Paralympic athletes, but a statement that equity and inclusion is a right for all people. It strengthens the Paralympic Movement and will increase opportunities for children and youth with disabilities. We encourage you to learn more about today’s announcement in the USOPC press release. We are excited for the future of Paralympic sport, growing the relationship between the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and beyond!
