The U.S. Olympians Association has passed an amendment to include Paralympians as part of its organizational membership, bringing with it a name change to U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association, effective immediately.
“There are two events, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but we are all one Team USA,” U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association President Willie Banks was quoted as saying in a U.S. Olympians and Paralympians press release. “We are all athletes, and we are proud the organization will include both Olympians and Paralympians.”
The combined organization will boast an expanded membership and will enable U.S. Olympians and U.S. Paralympians to work together on organizational initiatives that impact the larger movement and educate young athletes. The change also calls for the inclusion of a Paralympic vice president, to be selected by a vote of all U.S. Paralympians at a later date-in addition to the current six vice presidents.
“We talked about the added value of including Paralympians and how much greater the sum would be for all of us to be working together,” said Caryn Davies, vice president, U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association.
