DISABILITY IN SPORT

Paralympic Athlete Welcome Party Speech

National Ability Center, Park City, UT

March 4, 2002

– Presentation by Eli Wolff, Disability Sport Research Initiative Coordinator

PARK CITY, UT – Serving as a representative for Sport in Society and Nike, Inc., Eli Wolff, the Disability Sport Research Initiative Coordinator, was one of the keynote speakers at the Paralympic Athlete Welcome Party at the National Ability Center, in Park City, UT. Between 500-700 people were in attentance.

The following quotes the remarks he made at this well-received event:

"I am pleased to be here today representing Nike, showing Nike's support for the National Ability Center, and to welcome Paralympic athletes to the Salt Lake Paralympic Games.

"Nike is developing a focused commitment to supporting sport opportunities for athletes with disabilities. The Summer Youth Leadership Development Camps of the National Ability Center are a great way to reach more youth with disabilities. Nike is proud to be able to enhance this program. Nike is also thrilled to be able to provide gifts for all Paralympic athletes at this celebration. I hope all the athletes will enjoy the Nike Athlete Gift Station.

"Through my role with the Disability Sport Research Initiative at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, I advocate and fight for the rights of athletes with disabilities in sport. Just as Casey Martin fought for his right to compete in professional golf, I fight for athletes with disabilities to gain access, respect and acceptance within the arena of sport.

"Athletes with disabilities continue to face struggles for acceptance and inclusion in sport and society. I aim to build greater awareness and understanding within the general public and within the sports industry about the importance of accepting and including athletes with disabilities. I work to educate and inform the sporting world that recognizing and valuing disability, and athletes with disabilities, is an important component of a broad understanding of diversity and diversity in sport.

"I am determined to bring athletes with disabilities from the margins to the center of the sports culture. Athletes with disabilities are an integral part of the sporting environment. An athlete with a disability competing to the best of his or her ability is no different than an athlete without a disability competing to the best of his or her ability.

"Paralympic athletes, you are elite athletes, recognized because of your athletic achievements. You are important and essential members of the sports community. Do not let anyone tell you different.

"You will do great things here at the Salt Lake Paralympic Games. I wish you all the best."

	A PROGRAM OF NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SPORT IN SOCIETY

	INCLUSION & ADVOCACY FOR ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY
DISABILITY IN SPORT Director: Eli Wolff Researh Fellows: Dr. Mary Hums Dr. Ted Fay CURRENT INITIATIVES: Research Disability Report Card Advising and Consulting Advocacy Education, Curriculum and Outreach Events & Programs LINKS Click to Subscribe to Disability in Sport Discussion Group	Paralympic Athlete Welcome Party Speech National Ability Center, Park City, UT March 4, 2002 – Presentation by Eli Wolff, Disability Sport Research Initiative Coordinator PARK CITY, UT – Serving as a representative for Sport in Society and Nike, Inc., Eli Wolff, the Disability Sport Research Initiative Coordinator, was one of the keynote speakers at the Paralympic Athlete Welcome Party at the National Ability Center, in Park City, UT. Between 500-700 people were in attentance. The following quotes the remarks he made at this well-received event: "I am pleased to be here today representing Nike, showing Nike's support for the National Ability Center, and to welcome Paralympic athletes to the Salt Lake Paralympic Games. "Nike is developing a focused commitment to supporting sport opportunities for athletes with disabilities. The Summer Youth Leadership Development Camps of the National Ability Center are a great way to reach more youth with disabilities. Nike is proud to be able to enhance this program. Nike is also thrilled to be able to provide gifts for all Paralympic athletes at this celebration. I hope all the athletes will enjoy the Nike Athlete Gift Station. "Through my role with the Disability Sport Research Initiative at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, I advocate and fight for the rights of athletes with disabilities in sport. Just as Casey Martin fought for his right to compete in professional golf, I fight for athletes with disabilities to gain access, respect and acceptance within the arena of sport. "Athletes with disabilities continue to face struggles for acceptance and inclusion in sport and society. I aim to build greater awareness and understanding within the general public and within the sports industry about the importance of accepting and including athletes with disabilities. I work to educate and inform the sporting world that recognizing and valuing disability, and athletes with disabilities, is an important component of a broad understanding of diversity and diversity in sport. "I am determined to bring athletes with disabilities from the margins to the center of the sports culture. Athletes with disabilities are an integral part of the sporting environment. An athlete with a disability competing to the best of his or her ability is no different than an athlete without a disability competing to the best of his or her ability. "Paralympic athletes, you are elite athletes, recognized because of your athletic achievements. You are important and essential members of the sports community. Do not let anyone tell you different. "You will do great things here at the Salt Lake Paralympic Games. I wish you all the best."
	Northeastern University's CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SPORT IN SOCIETY 360 Huntington Avenue, Suite 161 CP Boston, MA 02115-5000 Phone: (617) 373-4025 Fax: (617) 373-4566 / 2092 E-MAIL US at [email protected]
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