Vet News: VA Awards $7.5 Million to U.S. Olympic Committee

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $7.5 million to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) to provide recreation and sport activities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.

“The grant builds upon VA’s commitment to provide adaptive sporting opportunities for Veterans in communities nationwide,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

In 2010, VA awarded $7.5 million to the USOC to begin the program.

Under terms of the agreement, VA funds are provided to the USOC’s member organizations, Paralympic Sports Clubs and Veteran and military organizations to start community-based, physical activity programs for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.  Disabled Veterans can locate adaptive sporting events in their communities by visiting the U.S. Paralympics Web site: usparalympics.org.

Public Law 110-389 authorized VA to award grants to the USOC to plan, manage and implement an adaptive sports program.  The law also authorized VA to establish an Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events.  This office works with the USOC to provide adaptive sports for disabled Veterans and will manage VA’s existing National Rehabilitation Special Events.

For additional information on VA adaptive sports and special events, visit the VA Web site: va.gov/adaptivesports.

VA's special events office also provides VA clinicians with information, tools and resources to help them promote the benefits of adaptive sports.  By collaborating with VA clinical personnel, the office is able to reach disabled Veterans and Servicemembers while they undergo recovery and rehabilitation.