Free USA Paratriathlon Summit Scheduled for Sept. 16-17 in Chicago

USA Paratriathlon, a program of USA Triathlon, will be hosting a free paratriathlon summit on Sept. 16-17 at Fosco Park in Chicago.

The USA Paratriathlon Summit is held during the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago week with support from Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club in Chicago and Disabled Sports USA. The summit will cover how to create a paratriathlon club or program, outline the basics of the sport at the grassroots level and offer an opportunity for attendees to meet elite paratriathletes like Melissa Stockwell, a three-time world champion, and others who will be competing in the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships on Friday, Sept. 18.

Registration is open now for the free event, which includes lunch and a networking cocktail hour. Visit active.com to reserve a spot. Check-in begins at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, with events running from 2-8:30 p.m. and continuing from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. The complete schedule of events is available at usatriathlon.org.

Educational panels during the summit include

• Paratriathlon 101 - Everything from grassroots paratriathlon programs all the way up to high performance for elite-level athletes, including the sport classes and the classification process

• Starting a paratriathlon program - Participant recruitment, equipment, structure, funding, building from an existing program, recruiting volunteers, guides and handlers

• Connecting with your local triathlon community - USA Triathlon resources including clubs, race directors  (including how to advocate for para-friendly races), regional paratriathlon reps and councils, and the committee's role

• Camps, clinics and connecting - Details of programs and opportunities already available across the country

• Athlete panel - Panel of athletes talking about their stories and how triathlon positively impacts their lives

• Road to Rio - History of paratriathlon, what we know about Rio, how paratriathletes qualify to for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Team

• Equipment session - See touch, feel and try difference pieces of equipment that are legal and used in paratriathlons such as racing chairs, hand bikes, tandems, guide running and cat trikes, as well as various prosthetic and orthotic devices

• Coaching the paratriathlete - The similarities and differences of coaching able-bodied vs. athletes with impairments, as well some basic skills related to coaching paratriathletes through transition, swimming, cycling/hand cycling and running/pushing portions

Interest in paratriathlon is at an all-time high on the global stage following the announcement in December 2010 that the sport was officially added to the Paralympic Games program. Visit usaparatriathlon.org for more information on each sport class, world rankings and grassroots efforts to grow the sport in the U.S.

About USA Triathlon: USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with nearly 500,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).