Given Limb Foundation Grant Helps USA Paratriathlon Military Program

USA Paratriathlon, a division of USA Triathlon, has been awarded more than $45,000 from the Given Limb Foundation to continue the paratriathlon military veterans program at Brooke Army Medical Center as part of the 2016 USA Paratriathlon Military Program.

The grant award, which totals $45,800 for 2016, funds the program, which will run from March to August, culminating in participation in the USA Paratriathlon National Championships in Santa Cruz, California, on Aug. 14. Camp participants will also compete in three races in Texas leading up to the National Championships event. A kick-off clinic is scheduled for Feb. 27 at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), allowing 10 interested veterans to learn more about the program and meet with a triathlon coach.

This is the third consecutive year USA Paratriathlon has received funding from the Given Limb Foundation to grow its military veterans program. The Given Limb Foundation has awarded USA Paratriathlon more than $150,000 to date, with programs held previously at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in addition to BAMC.

"We are pleased to have the support of the Given Limb Foundation once again in 2016 as we introduce paratriathlon to more military veterans," said Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Paratriathlon Program Manager. "With the success of our Brooke Army Medical Center long-term training program in 2015, we are excited to extend and expand this program to include even more injured service members. These athletes may one day represent the U.S. at a Paralympic Games, and this grant allows us to provide resources to help make the sport a reality for those who have served our country."

The six-month program utilizes swimming, cycling and running programs already in place at BAMC, while connecting the 10 veterans to a USA Triathlon Certified Coach and a local USA Triathlon club. Past participants in the program will also serve as mentors to veterans who are taking part in the program.

To learn more about the program, contact paratriathlon@usatriathlon.org. For more information on the Given Limb Foundation, visit givenlimb.org.

Interest in paratriathlon is at an all-time high, and the sport continues to grow leading up to its debut at the Paralympic Games this September in Rio de Janeiro. Visit usaparatriathlon.org for more on the sport of paratriathlon.

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).