US athletics and cycling teams named for Rio 2016

04.07.2016

The track and field team includes 66 athletes, whilst the cycling team features 18 athletes.

A picture of a woman in the wheelchair on a track celebrating with her hand up

Tatyana Mcfadden of the United States celebrates as she wins gold in the Women's 800m T54 Final at the Paralympic Games in London © • Getty images

By US Paralympics

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US Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, has announced the 66 track and field athletes and 18 cyclists who will represent Team USA at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

Five-time Paralympian Tatyana McFadden headlines the track and field team which features 40 men and 26 women, in addition to three guides for visually impaired athletes. This September the 11-time Paralympic medallist is aiming to become the first athlete to sweep every distance from the 100m to the marathon at the Paralympic Games with seven events. Highlighting the men’s side is Ray Martin who emerged as the most decorated US man on the track at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, winning gold in all four events he competed in.

Returning to the roster for Rio are 14 medallists from London 2012, including Paralympic champions Jeremy Campbell in men’s discus F44 and Shirley Reilly in the women’s marathon T54. Team USA won nine gold, six silver and 13 bronze for a total of 28 medals in London.

Two athletes - Allyssa Seely and Grace Norman – will compete in two sports having also been named as part of the USA’s triathlon teams for the the sport’s debut in Rio.

The team also includes four U.S. military veterans: Angela Madsen, Scot Severn, Johnnie Williams and Michael Wishnia.

In cycling Team USA will have the largest cycling team of any country at Rio 2016 due to its standout performances at major competitions over the past four years. Individual athletes were selected based on their performances at key international and domestic events throughout the 2015-2016 season.

“Our athletes and coaching staff have worked really hard on the programme over the past four years, and as a team, we’ve become the best in the world,” said Ian Lawless, high performance director for US Paralympics Cycling. “The roster includes a mix of returning athletes and new talent, which when combined, translates to one amazing team. We expect to exceed our performance from London and to see some amazing performances in Rio.”

Of the group, seven are returning Paralympians who collectively amassed 12 of the 17 US cycling medals won at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Included among the seven are Joe Berenyi, who won gold and silver in individual events and a bronze in the team sprint in London. For former alpine skier Allison Jones, Rio will mark her eighth Paralympic Games competition between the two sports. Jones won three medals, one gold and two bronze, at the London 2012 Games.

The team is also comprised of six military veterans. They include Navy veteran Will Groulx, who transitioned to cycling after winning three Paralympic medals as a member of the ’04, ’08 and ’12 US wheelchair rugby teams; handcyclist Oz Sanchez, who won gold in the H1-4 team relay and bronze in the individual time trial in London; and Jennifer Schuble Army, won silver in the individual C4-5 500m time trial and bronze in the team sprints in London.

Three additional military veterans who will make their Games debut in Rio. They are Shawn Morelli, the reigning world champion in time trial, road race and pursuit; Tom Davis, and Scott Martin.

Other notable athletes named to the roster include time trial reigning world champion Jamie Whitmore, Ryan Boyle, who competes on the trike and won bronze in both the road race and time trial at the 2015 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, and Jill Walsh, a retired state trooper.

Track and field team

Women

Megan Absten T46

Femita Ayanbeku T44

Scout Bassett T42

Natalie Bieule F44

Breanna Clark T20

Kym Crosby T13

Alexa Halko T34

April Holmes T44

Kelsey LeFevour T53

Angela Madsen F56