The road to Beijing will wind through Tempe for the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Trials – Track & Field. The competition, which will run June 12th - 15th, at Arizona State University, is the sole qualifying event in track & field for the 2008 Paralympic Games. Arizona Disabled Sports & the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation & Commercial Facilities will act as the local organizing committee. Athletes who meet the minimum qualifying standards will be eligible to compete in the Trials.
The track at Arizona State University should prove to be great training ground for athletes, as it was recently resurfaced with the exact materials used to build the track that athletes will be racing on in Beijing. It is the only track in the U.S. with the same surface.
“We’re excited about going to the greater Mesa/Tempe area for a number of reasons,” said Troy Engle, Associate Director & Head Coach, Paralympic Track & Field. “First & foremost, we have great confidence in the local organizing committee - Arizona Disabled Sports & the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation & Commercial Facilities. They have shown a strong commitment to making this our best event ever, & after attending the Desert Challenge, we have great confidence that they’re going to put on a fantastic event – both for the elite athletes & spectators.”
The competition is expected to draw over 200 athletes with a physical disability from all over the world. The competition program is scheduled to include events that will be contested at the 2008 Paralympic Games, with the exception of the marathon. Early registration has closed, but the late entry deadline runs through June 9th.