US PARALYMPIAN SCOTT WINKLER WITH GEORGE BUSH
The president honored a few of America’s athletes heading to
Beijing at the White House this past Monday. Paralympian, and
American and World Shot Put Records holder, Scott Winkler was
among them.
Bush greeted attendees in the Rose Garden. He said of the gathered
athletes, “In the coming days, around 600 American athletes
will arrive in China for the 29th Olympic Games. Together, the
talented men and women of Team USA will represent the great
diversity of our country.”
The president then directed his attentions to the Winkler. “Scott
[Winkler] didn't spend his whole life training to become an
elite athlete -- but athletic competition helped give Scott
his life back.”
“Last month, a magnificent throw earned Scott an American record
-- and a spot on the U.S. Paralympic team. And here's the way
he put it: "I fought for this country, and now I'd love
to win for this country" in Beijing. Scott, we honor your
service to our country, we thank you for coming today, and we'll
be pulling for you.”
Winkler said from home in Grovetown, Georgia, “It was such an
honor to meet him. And I got to go in the Oval Office and ended
up playing with Bonnie (the president’s dog) before dinner.”
White House Transcript: whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/07/20080721.html
“Line One Mr. Winkler. It’s the President of the United
States.” Paralympian Scott Winkler Gets a White House Dinner
Invite
Paralympian, and the World and Americas Adaptive Shot Put Record
Holder, Scott Winkler has been invited to the White House for
a gala dinner July 21, 2008.
President George W. Bush has invited a few select men and women
scheduled to compete in the Paralympic and Olympic Games. There
will be fanfare and fine cuisine as the small group is honored
by the President.
Winkler said of the soiree, “It was real casual. I answered
the phone and it was someone asking me if I was able to attend.
I said sure!”
For this rising athlete, this is not the first sit-down Winkler’s
had with the Bush family. A few months ago, while being honored
with a position upon the Paralympic Ambassadors Committee, Winkler
dined with the presidents parents; Ex-President George and former
First Lady Barbara Bush. Winkler’s wit escaped him, “I ate with
his parents, now I get to meet the son.”
The menu and travel plans are en route. Winkler has a few days
to decide between the prime rib or seafood. He half-joked that
as he is in training perhaps they’d allow him his customary
two plate dinner.
Upon his return he repacks and heads off to Omaha Nebraska
for the National
VA Wheelchair Games. He’s competing in shot put discus and
basketball. Winkler will close out the competition with a day
dedicated to teaching at Kid’s Day. “It’s a great time. Disabled
kids are introduced to and get to enjoy adaptive sports like
racing and an obstacle course.”
After the VA Games it is back to vigorous training for his
departure August 21 to China for a two-week acclamation period
for the 2008 Paralympic Games.
Winkler Breaks the American Adaptive Shot Put Record at
the Arizona National Team Trials
United States National Team Trials this past weekend proved
to be another victory for Paralympic hopeful Scott Winkler.
Having recently been reclassified in Field Sports from a
F54 to a F55, Winkler would have to be even better than before
to achieve his dream of officially being a part of Team heading
to Beijing.
The athlete not only qualified, but broke the American Adaptive
Shot Put Record by making a 10.97 meter shot put throw.
Winkler said on the phone from Arizona, “I am ecstatic!
If you believe you can achieve. That’s my motto and I live
by it!” Choked up and elated he continued, “It was an emotional
week for me. They announced that I’d officially qualified
for the team and broke the American record. And I didn’t just
make the team…I made the elite standard. I broke down and
cried right there.”
Scott Winkler took two medals last winter at the 2007 Parapan
Games; Gold (shot put) and Bronze (discus). Winkler will be
part of the American Field Team competing in the U.S. Paralympic
Games in Beijing.
The Games will have over 4,000 elite athletes with a physical disabilities competing from
around the world. The 2008 Paralympic Games run September 6-17, 2008. The U.S. has a team of 206 athletes scheduled to compete in 18 sports.
Check
out the the video of Scott Winkler on NBC
U.S. Paralympic's Choose Scott Winkler as National Ambassador
United States Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer, Charles Huebner, has appointed Scott Winkler as one of the US Paralympic official ambassadors and mentors for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Scott Winkler has been chosen, along with 29 other Paralympians, for a mentor and awareness program Huebner has selected to help spread the word about the Paralympics nationally. Winkler will speak and make appearances on behalf of the US Paralymics.
In the invitation Huebner, "Paralympic's mentors you were chosen for a reason. You are viewed as a leader, influencer, a role model, and an ideal mentor for our organization."
Winkler will be attending a training session in Washington
D.C. in May. He said of the appointment, "I am honored
to be asked. I train kids now and this will just help me reach
more people and share how adaptive sports can help them achieve
their dreams."