COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -U.S. Paralympics,
a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is pleased to announce that Universal
Sports, a multiplatform destination for amateur sports programming, will provide
the first-ever multiplatform broadcast coverage of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic
Games, presented by GE in the United
States.
Daily video highlights will also be webcast on the official site of the
U.S. Paralympic Team, usparalympics.org.
The groundbreaking broadcast will premiere on Sept. 6,
on UniversalSports.com and Oct. 8, on Universal Sports TV, followed by a
special presentation of the events on NBC, Oct. 18.
"The U.S. Olympic Committee is making a
tremendous
investment in building the Paralympic movement in the United
States. That commitment has helped significantly raise the
awareness
of Paralympic programs since 2004, and this broadcast agreement is
clear
evidence of the growing interest nationally in Paralympic sport," said
Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, U.S. Olympic
Committee. "The amazing platform provides an exceptional
opportunity to showcase the talents of the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team,
introduce more individuals with physical disabilities to the Paralympic
movement and inspire all Americans."
Viewers will have the opportunity to watch the
Paralympic Games, Sept. 6-17, with daily live and delayed highlight shows on
UniversalSports.com and usparalympics.org.
The official U.S. Paralympic Team site will also host daily video blogs
from U.S.
athletes and delegation members. Beginning
in 2009, the U.S. Olympic Network will re-air portions of the 2008 Paralympic
Games.
The Paralympic Games are an elite sporting event for
persons with physical disabilities. In Beijing,
a total of 4,000 athletes from around 150 countries will be competing in 20
sports and the U.S.
will be represented by 213 athletes.
For current Universal Sports scheduling information
for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, please visit UniversalSports.com.
