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)
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Tanner Pearson broke a tie at 6:17 of the third period and the Winnipeg Jets beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Sunday for their first back-to-back victories since mid-November.
Pearson took a pass from Josh Morrissey in front of the net and beat Jake Allen.
The Jets beat Los Angeles on Friday night to end an 11-game losing streak. They last won two straight Nov. 15-18. Winnipeg also won a one-goal game for the first time since Nov. 15, snapping an NHL record of 13 consecutive losses.
Alex Iafallo, Jonathan Toews and Gabriel Vilardi also scored, and Morrissey and Cole Perfetti each had two assists. Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves.
Winnipeg-born Cody Glass scored twice for New Jersey. Nico Hischier also had a goal, and Allen stopped 18 shots. The Devils have lost four consecutive games for the first time since early December.
Iafallo opneed the scoring with 1:10 left in the first period on a shot that deflected in. Hischier tied it 37 seconds later off a rebound.
Glass gave the Devils the lead at 1:05 of the second when he redirected a pass from Luke Hughes. Toews tied it at 2:36.
New Jersey defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler’s shot went in just under a minute later, but the Jets successfully challenged for goaltender interference because Paul Cotter had bumped into Hellebuyck.
Glass put New Jersey ahead at 8:08, and Vilardi countered with his 18th of the season when he batted the puck in with 2:03 left in the second.
Devils: At Minnesota on Monday night.
Jets: Host the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi (13) celebrates after his goal against the New Jersey Devils with Jonathan Toews (19) and Dylan DeMelo (2) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi (13) celebrates after his goal against the New Jersey Devils with Jonathan Toews (19) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Tanner Pearson (70) celebrates after the winning goal against the New Jersey Devils with Josh Morrissey (44), Daniel Zhilkin (53) and Logan Stanley (64) in an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Nino Niederreiter (62) tries score as New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen, center top, makes a save during third-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets' Nino Niederreiter (62) tries to control the puck as New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen, center top, makes a save during third-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
