Joshua George
Joshua George emerged as a two-sport star for the U.S. in 2006. That summer, he won six medals at two World Championships and established himself as an athlete to watch at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
The first stop was the 2006 IWBF Gold Cup, wheelchair basketball's world championships, where George was a member of the starting five and helped the team to a silver medal. Two months later, at the IPC Athletics World Championships, George pulled a clean sweep, winning the T53 100, 200, 400 and 800m races. He also helped the U.S. to a silver medal in the men's 4x100m relay, and his five medals were the most of any U.S. athlete at the event.
When the Beijing Games finally rolled around, George was ready to improve upon his two bronze medal performance in Athens. George did not disappoint, winning gold in the 100m T53 and silver in the 800m T53.
George also participated in the ING New York City Marathon, finishing in 13th place in the men's race.
George became involved in wheelchair athletics at the age of eight. His parents, who were looking to keep him active and involved, found a sports program in nearby Baltimore, where he became involved in racing, swimming and basketball.
George graduated from the University of Illinois in 2007 with a degree in journalism.
Major Achievements:
- 2008: Gold medal, 100m T53; silver medal, 800m T53 - Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
- 2007: Gold medal - Parapan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (wheelchair basketball)
- 2007: World record, 800m - Meet in the Heat, Atlanta, Ga.
- 2006: Silver medal - IWBF Gold Cup (World Championships), Amsterdam, The Netherlands (wheelchair basketball)
- 2006: Gold medal, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m; Silver medal, 4x100-meter relay - IPC Athletics World Championships, Assen, The Netherlands
- 2005: Gold medal, All-Star, team co-captain - Junior World Championship, Birmingham, United Kingdom (wheelchair basketball)
- 2004: Two bronze medals, 100m, 400m - Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
- 2003: First place, wheelchair division - Chicago Marathon, Chicago, Ill.
