Olympic Athletes Represent U.S., Promote Physical Activity

Two Olympic gold medal winners from Iowa were on Capitol Hill this week to share their stories and promote the goals and spirit of Olympic-related athletic activity.  Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson, from West Des Moines, and Paralympic Sled Hockey Player Andy Yohe, from Bettendorf, are ambassadors for the U.S. Olympic Committee, which is congressionally chartered.  The visitors also described the role of the Paralympics in providing expanded physical activity programming nationwide for kids with disabilities and injured members of America’s Armed Forces when they return home. 

The Paralympic movement was developed as a means to help World War II veterans with rehabilitation support and mentoring services.  The U.S. Paralympics was formed in 2001 to rejuvenate the Paralympics movement for our military men and women as well as to begin community outreach to people with physical disabilities across the country and offer elite training in preparation for the Paralympic games and other international competitions.  The Paralympic games are held immediately following the Olympic games at the same venue.  (“Paralympic” means “parallel to the Olympics.”)

The variety of sports showcased at the Olympics shows there’s much to explore. The Olympic Games in London (July 27 to August 12, 2012) will feature 26 sports, representing 39 disciplines.  The Paralympic Games (Aug. 29 to Sept. 9, 2012) will have 20 sports. 

The U.S. Olympic Committee coordinates all of the Olympic-related athletic activity in our country, including the Olympics and the Paralympics.  Every two years Americans are riveted to the television watching hometown heroes like Shawn and Andy represent our country against the most elite athletes in the world.  It’s a proud moment for America when one of our own is standing on the podium to receive a medal and salute the American flag.  All of the athletes, and those who are working to promote the Olympic spirit, deserve to be commended for their hard work and dedication.