CXC Skiing gets Olympic grant for disabled skiers

Tue, Jul  7, 2009 - By CXC Skiing

MADISON, WI - Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) announced today that it has been named as a grant recipient from the 2009 Olympic Opportunity Fund. Awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Olympic Opportunity Grant Program was started in 2007 to provide financial assistance to sport organizations across the United States. This year, the program was opened to Paralympic Sport Clubs, USOC Paralympic member organizations, as well as veteran and military organizations developing Paralympic programs that serve injured military personnel and veterans. 
 
"We have been developing adaptive programs for cross country skiing for several years. Receiving this grant is a new and very exciting step for our organization. CXC is looking forward to offering free loaner equipment while partnering with ski areas, events and local ski clubs to provide the opportunity of cross country skiing for individuals with disabilities including military personnel and veterans", commented Yuriy Gusev, CXC Executive and Athletic Director.    
 
The highlight of the CXC Adaptive Program will be the development of Opportunity Centers throughout the Central Region. Clubs, ski areas, and parks will be offered free equipment on loan for stand up and sit skiing. Instructors and coaches identified with each location will receive instruction and certification for work with first time through advanced level participants. CXC Adaptive Program in partnership with the US Paralympics, USSA and the US Adaptive Ski Team will join with interested regional and national centers for the support of healthy lifestyles for individuals with physical disabilities.
 
"We are proud to invest in the incredible work of Central Cross Country Ski Association," said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, USOC. "Together, we will have a tremendous impact on the availability of Paralympic sports programming and be able to provide more opportunities for persons with physical disabilities and injured service members to participate in Paralympic sport at the community level."
 
A total of 39 grants amounting to more than $500,000 were awarded to Paralympic community organizations across the country.              
                               
Central Cross Country Ski Association provides an organization which enables athletes, coaches and officials to achieve excellence in cross country skiing through: EDUCATION, COOPERATION, COMMUNICATION, and COMPETITION.
 
 
For more information, please contact Yuriy Gusev at [email protected]