Summer 2011 News

World Sport Chicago hosted the inagural Valor Games-Midwest on Aug. 23-26 at Soldier Field. The event featured wounded, ill or injured veterans and active-duty service members from across the Midwest.  It was the first regional event of its kind in the country and is was organized in partnership with the Chicago Park District, the Save Foundation, ISFA and U.S. Paralympics.  Athlete Paralympian veteran speakers included Melissa Stockwell (swimming, 2008) and John Register (swimming, 1996; athletics, 2000).

The 32nd National Sports Collectors Convention was held Aug. 3-7 in Rosemont. The event featured 1968 Mexico City Olympic Gold Medalists Dick Fosbury and Bob Beamon.  Fosbury is president of the World Olympians Association and Beamon leads the Art of the Olympians Museum in Ft. Meyers, Fla.

Thanks to U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Vice President Carol Brown (rowing, 1976, 1980, 1984), who visited Belding Elementary School in Chicago on May 12 to promote World Fit. Hundreds of Belding students walked 60 miles as part of the national U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association program!

Congratulations to Team USA, which captured 34 medals at the IPC Athletics World Championships in January sparked by many of our University of Illinois-based Paralympians. See Midwest Olympians and Paralympians in the News below for some amazing results!