USA Track and Field is bringing the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field program in-house beginning Jan. 1 as part of a partnership that will unite all of its athletes under one roof.
The sport's national governing body announced Wednesday that it’s taking over the Para track program from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The merger gives Para track and field athletes the same sort of access to the support and development as U.S. track and field athletes.
It's a decision that comes on the heels of a successful performance at the Paris Games last summer. American track and field athletes captured 34 medals, including 14 gold, while U.S. track and field Paralympians hauled in 38 medals and 10 gold.
“With the USOPC and USATF joining forces for our Paralympics Track & Field National Team and development programs, we are setting the stage for unprecedented opportunity and development,” USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said in a statement. “We’ve committed to working toward this model of integration, because we know it will allow Para athletes to fully access a powerhouse of resources, support and training as they pursue excellence and represent Team USA.”
USATF becomes the 17th national governing body to house its Paralympic counterpart. In May 2023, U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced a similar move, bringing the U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team and U.S. Para Snowboard Team onto its roster. The organization cited the move as a “significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities within winter sports and underscores the One Team mindset.”
Track and field echoed the same sort of sentiment.
“This is an incredible moment for our sport,” Max Siegel, CEO of USATF, said. “USATF has a strong commitment to providing inclusive and comprehensive support, and by uniting our Olympic and Paralympic programs, we are setting the standard for what an integrated sports program can achieve. We believe the benefits of being one team will drive success on and off the field of play.”
Hunter Woodhall, a Paralympic gold medalist in the T62 400 meters at the Paris Games, envisions big things through the relationship.
“This change means so much to me and to the entire Para track and field community,” Woodhall said. "It’s incredibly exciting to see the investment, dedication, and future we’re building together."
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
FILE - Hunter Woodhall from the U.S. celebrates after winning the men's 400 m. T62 final at the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Nashville SC defeated Club America 1-0 on Hany Mukhtar 's second-half goal Tuesday to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals for the first time.
Mukhtar scored in the 51st minute to secure a spot in the final four against the winner of the series between the Seattle Sounders and the UANL Tigres.
The first leg ended with a scoreless draw a week ago in Nashville.
Club America, a seven-time Champions Cup winner, was aiming for its first regional title since 2016.
In the second half, referee Walter Lopez stopped the game a couple of times when Club America fans shouted a homophobic chant against goalkeeper Brian Schwake.
The chant became an issue for the sport in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Dennis Bouanga scored a late penalty to help LAFC draw 1-1 with defending champion Cruz Azul and advance to the semifinals.
Gabriel Fernandez converted a penalty kick in the 18th to put the home team ahead, but Bouanga equalized with a right-foot shot from the spot deep in stoppage time.
LAFC, which won the first leg 3-0 with two goals from David Martinez, will play the winner of the series between Toluca FC and LA Galaxy.
“I know we eliminated a great club, a great champion, and a team that gave us a lot of trouble. Qualifying was tough,” LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos said. “Now there are no favorites. Everyone who makes it to the semifinals is strong.”
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris finished the match with eight saves for LAFC, which is aiming for its third final in the tournament after losing in the championship deciders in 2020 and 2023.
The eight saves from the 39-year-old Frenchman were the most in his 102 matches with the LAFC in all competitions.
Cruz Azul finished the match with 10 men after Gonzalo Piovi was sent off in the 90th minute after tackling Bouanga.
“Today we had 31 shots, we faced a world champion goalkeeper who prevented us from having a great night,” Cruz Azul coach Nicolas Larcamon said.
The Mexican club, a seven-time Champions Cup winner, was aiming to emulate Club América, the last team to clinch back-to-back titles in the 2014-15 and 2015-16.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hany Mukhtar of the United States' Nashville SC celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Mexico's America during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg soccer match in Mexico City, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Referee Walter Lopez suspends the match due to discriminatory chants from the crowd during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Mexico's America and the United States' Nashville SC in Mexico City, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Referee Ivan Barton suspends the match due to discriminatory chants from the crowd during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Mexico's Cruz Azul and the United States' Los Angeles FC in Puebla, Mexico, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Son Heung-Min, right, congrats Denis Bouanga of the United States' Los Angeles FC after scoring his side's first goal against Mexico's Cruz Azul during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Denis Bouanga of the United States' Los Angeles FC celebrates scoring his side's first goal from the penalty spot against Mexico's Cruz Azul during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg soccer match in Puebla, Mexico, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
