U.S. Paralympics Hosts Delegation from National Paralympic Association of Uzbekistan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - U.S. Paralympics recently hosted a delegation from Uzbekistan for a program intended to educate and inform Uzbekistan's Paralympic leaders about the governance structure, high performance practices and rehabilitative systems of the U.S. Olympic Committee's Paralympic Division. The Uzbek delegation, consisting of National Paralympic Committee leaders, coaches, trainers and disabled athletes, toured the Colorado Springs U.S. Olympic Training Center and viewed presentations from U.S. Paralympics officials.

Although still in its infancy, Uzbekistan's Paralympic program is beginning to grow. Uzbekistan officials who visited the Colorado Springs complex displayed a strong desire to discover all aspects of the U.S. Paralympic program explained Mike Mushett, U.S. Paralympics Director of Community Programs.

"Our guests were exposed to various program components like coaching techniques and safety concerns, and they learned how to empower and include athletes with physical disabilities in all aspects of sports programming," said Mushett.

In addition, Uzbekistan officials had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Paralympians Myles Porter (Colorado Springs, Colo./Fremont, Ohio) and Allison Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and were shown the kind of accommodations the U.S. Olympic Training Center offers athletes with physical disabilities.