U.S. Continues Its Medal Haul

U.S. athletes won seven medals during the second day of track and field competition at the Paralympics at Sydney, Australia, and Norman Bass of Inglewood added to the day’s medal haul by sharing a bronze in the men’s table tennis team competition for Classes 6-7.

Bass teamed with Joshua Bartel of Andover, Kan., to defeat Swedes Johnny Eriksson and Mattias Karlsson, 3-0. Bass and Bartel had swept their individual matches before teaming in doubles to win two of three games from the Swedish duo. Their classification includes competitors who have a combined disability in their playing arm and legs, or both arms, or single or double above-the-elbow or below-the-elbow amputations, or a combination of both.

“We just got better with every game,” Bass said. “Our confidence grew, and we were a really good team tonight. We have only played as partners a few times, and we just get better the more we play together.

“The competition was good. There was tension and pressure, all the things that make a good match. I didn’t come to the Paralympic Games to medal, but to play. I’m very happy for Josh. This is great.”

In athletic events, Cheri Becerra of Omaha won the women’s T54 100 meters, open to spinal cord-injured athletes who have normal arms and hand function, a range of trunk function and may have some leg function. Ross Davis of San Antonio won the men’s T34 100, for competitors with cerebral palsy.

Lisa Banta of Boonton, N.J., won a silver in the women’s F12 100 meters, for athletes with vision impairment. Jessica Galli of Belle Mead, N.J., won a silver in the women’s T53 800 meters, for athletes who have normal arms and hand function but have no or limited trunk function and have no leg function.

Tim Willis of Tucker, Ga., won a bronze in the men’s T11 10,000 meters, for vision-impaired competitors. Jeff Lauterbach of North Kingston, R.I., won bronze in the men’s F33 discus throw, for athletes with cerebral palsy. Cheri Blauwet of Larchwood, Ind., won a bronze in the women’s T53 800 meters.

In swimming, Erin Popovich of Butte, Mont., won a silver medal in the SM 6 200-meter individual medley. That classification includes swimmers who have full use of the arms and hands, some trunk control but no useful leg muscles.

Scott Moore of Denver won a gold in the men’s 73-kilogram judo classification, becoming the first American to win a judo event in Olympic or Paralympic competition.

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Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee, and Dr. Robert Steadward, president of the International Paralympic Committee, signed a cooperation agreement acknowledging their shared beliefs.

The organizations are expected to reach a further agreement regarding future Paralympic Games in the next few months. The IOC will also give financial support to the Paralympic movement and will grant membership to the IPC president.

“The Olympic and the Paralympic family share a common vision of elite sport, and I am very pleased that our movements today agreed to moving even closer together,” Steadward said.