Charlotte to host 2016 US Paralympic Team Trials

“Charlotte presents the perfect opportunity to shine a light on Paralympic sport and to set the stage for some outstanding performances and incredible success for Team USA in advance of Rio 2016.”

US Paralympics has announced that Charlotte, North Carolina, USA will host the 2016 US Paralympic Team Trials for cycling, swimming and athletics on 30 June – 2 July 2016. For the first time in US Paralympics’ history, the trials will feature three sports being contested concurrently, all within the city of Charlotte through Partners for Parks, which will serve as the local organising committee for the competition.

“With top-notch venues, convenient proximity between locations and with its renowned hospitality, we know Charlotte will be an incredible host,” said Rick Adams, chief of Paralympic Sport and National Governing Body Organisational Development at the United States Olympic Committee.

“Charlotte presents the perfect opportunity to shine a light on Paralympic sport and to set the stage for some outstanding performances and incredible success for Team USA in advance of Rio 2016.”

The 2016 US Paralympic Team Trials will feature competition in cycling, swimming and athletics at venues around the city of Charlotte, including University City, the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Centre and the Irwin Belk Complex at Johnson C. Smith University. Family, fans and spectators can bounce from competition to competition.

Charlotte was selected based on a number of criteria, including its sport venues, local accommodations, accessibility and transportation.

“We have received great support from other organisations to manage the different events,” said Doug Youngblood, president of Partners for Parks and chair of the local organising committee.

“We are looking forward to supporting, caring for and entertaining these great athletes in their quest to represent the United States at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016.”

Set to be the largest Paralympic trials in US history, the 2016 US Paralympic Team Trials will host more than 400 athletes competing for a chance to advance to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games as a member of Team USA on the cycling, swimming or athletics teams.

Following three days of competition, the event will culminate with a celebration on 3 July 2016, during which the US team rosters for all three sports will be announced for Rio 2016.

For more information on the 2016 US Paralympic Team Trials, please visit the US Paralympics’ website.