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"America doesn't support its athletes, Americans do" The Paralympics are designed for the Physically Disabled Athlete in both the Summer and Winter Games. They compete in almost all of the events of the Olympic Games. The athletes in Judo are Blind and Visually Impaired and compete with the same rules as the sighted athletes, the only difference is the beginning of the match where both competitors hold on to each other, at that time the referee says "Hajime" (begin). Both male and female athletes compete in Judo. At the 2000 Paralympic Games the United States Paralympic Judo Team won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and a Bronze Medal in Sydney, Australia. Team USA won top honors as the Number 1 team in the World and the 2 Gold Medals were a first for America since Judo was introduced in 1964 and have not been matched with the sighted team. The 2004 results in Athens where also momentious with the winning of one Silver and two Bronze Medals continuing to prove that blind and visually impaired individuals can compete and win at the Olympic level (Paralympics). The 2008 US Paralympic Judo Team once again showed its commitment and dedication in making a difference in the blind and visually impaired community by returning a Bronze Medal from the Paralympic Games in Beijing. The Blind Judo Foundation continues to introduce and create champions of blind and visually impaired individuals through the sport of Judo. As a nonprofit organization we constantly seek funding and sponsors to support those brave individuals willing to step on the Judo mat. Unfortunately Paralympians do not get the same financial support or media coverage as Olympians yet they meet the same requirements, standards and compete at the same venues. The Blind Judo Foundation and its athletes are making a difference. |
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