Move United Recognized with USOPC Rings of Gold Award

Move United was given the 2024 Rings of Gold Award by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee during its annual assembly last week in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Rings of Gold award, inaugurated in 1996, annually recognizes an individual and a program dedicated to helping children develop their Olympic or Paralympic dreams and reach their highest athletic and personal potential. Move United competitions in 2024 included 2,311 adaptive athletes of all ages and performance levels, including youth, Paralympians and disabled veterans competed in 34 multi-sport competitions held in 24 states.

“Move United is excited to be recognized for driving growth, impact and the reach that these sanctioned competitions have for people with disabilities in this country,” Move United Executive Director Glenn Merry said. “This past year, our network expanded, adding eight new competitions. The growth resulted in an overall participation increase by 50%. For many aspiring athletes, this network is the entry point to future world class performances as Team USA’s next generation.”

Move United competitions are sanctioned by both Move United and applicable National Governing Bodies for the sports being contested. All events serve as a qualifier for The Hartford Nationals, which is the largest and longest-standing national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, or intellectual disability.

“Sixty-two percent of the Team USA athletes that competed at the 2024 Paralympic Games began their Paralympic journey with Move United’s community-based programs or competitions and a similar percentage was true for the athletes that represented the country at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo,” Merry said.