CAF SUPPORTS ATHLETES IN PARIS

Sport has the power to change the world. Through the support from CAF, athletes with physical disabilities can not only be a part of sport but grow to become the top of the leaderboard – some have even come to be at the top of the world’s largest stage.

This year’s theme, “Games Wide Open,” isn’t just a slogan—it reflects the limitless opportunities that await athletes from across the globe. Aligning with the CAF mission to empower those with physical disabilities through the power of sports and by removing barriers to participation, CAF ensures that all athletes have the tools needed to succeed both in competition and in life.

MEET SOME ATHLETES

EMMA MEYERS

Sport: Para Triathlon

Classification: PTS4

Events: Women’s Paratriathlon

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JUSTIN PHONGSAVANH

Sport: Track and Field

Classification: F54

Events: Javelin

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JAMIE WHITMORE

 Sport: Para-cycling

Classification: C3

Events: Road Cycling

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DANIEL ROMANCHUK

Sport: Wheelchair Racing

Classification: T54 (T54 is for athletes with different levels of spinal cord injuries and amputations who compete in a seated position)

Events: Men’s 1500m T54, 5000m T54, Marathon T54

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KELLY ELMLINGER

Sport: Paratriathlon

Classification: PTS4

Events: Women’s Paratriathlon

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BRANDON LYONS

Sport: Handcycling

Classification: MH3

Events: H3 

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MELISSA STOCKWELL

Sport: Paratriathlon

Classification: PTS2

Events: Women’s Paratriathlon

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STEVE SERIO

Sport: Wheelchair Basketball

Classification: 3.5 (classification levels range from 1.0 to 4.5 based on the athletes’ functional abilities, with lower numbers indicating a higher degree of impairment)

Events: Men’s Wheelchair Basketball

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AHYALA LETTENBERGER

Sport: Para Swimming

Classification: S7

Events: Individual Medley, Freestyle

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DEREK LOCCIDENT

Sport: Track and Field

Classification: T64 (for athletes with a lower limb amputation who compete with prosthetics)

Events: Men’s 100m T64, 200m T64

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BAILEY MOODY

Sport: Wheelchair Basketball

Classification: 4.0

Events: Women’s Wheelchair Basketball

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NICKY NIEVES

Sport: Sitting Volleyball

Classification: Volleyball does not use the same classification system as athletics or cycling. Instead, it assesses the degree of disability and ensures there is a mix on each team to balance the level of functional ability.

Events: Team Sitting Volleyball

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AARON PIKE

Sport: Wheelchair Racing

Classification: T54

Events: Men’s 1500m T54, 5000m T54, Marathon T54

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TAYLOR WINNETT

Sport: Para Swimming

Classification: S10, SM10 and SB9

Events:

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Athletes in Paris

Click the image below to view a full list of all athletes supported by CAF at some point in their athletic journey as they compete in their sport in Paris.

Click Here to View Athletes
FOLLOW ALONG ATHLETE JOURNEYS

WATCH VIDEOS

Learn more about CAF athletes competing in Paris

NEWS STORIES

Read articles and watch news segments about CAF athletes

VIEW EVENT SCHEDULE

View full schedule of athletic events by sport

Read Our Blog

Infinite Possibilities in Paris

Read Blog

Growth, Innovation, and Inclusion

Read Blog

CAF Athletes Shine in Paris

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NBCU Creative Impact Lab

CAF is excited to announce the release of a national TV commercial in partnership with Venice Arts and NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab, airing 100 days before the 2024 Paralympic Games. The 30-second spot, featuring Derek Loccident, highlights his journey from collegiate football player to track and field athlete after a life-changing accident, reaching millions of homes and inspiring viewers with its powerful narrative of empowering individuals with physical disabilities through sport. 

Venice Arts’ Executive Director, Lynn Warshafsky, emphasized the importance of uplifting diverse storytellers, with apprentices playing a key role in the project. The NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab is a program designed to broaden access to the media industry for the next generation of diverse creative talent and help nonprofits tell their impact stories to a worldwide audience. “This collaboration not only showcases the CAF mission but also amplifies our visibility, enabling us to scale our impact. It’s a prime example of how targeted exposure through creative alliances can empower nonprofits to expand their reach and deepen their community engagements” – Kara Sterner, Chief Marketing Officer at CAF.