Just weeks before the Olympic and Paralympic Games are held in Tokyo, Turnstone unveiled new training site marks.
Athletes with Turnstone showed off the new U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site signage during a ceremony June 9 outside the center, 3320 North Clinton Street in Fort Wayne. Turnstone officials were joined by Mayor Tom Henry and representatives from the United States Association of Blind Athletes.
The new signage coincides with the U.S. Olympic Commitee's official name change in 2019 to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and features both the Olympic Rings and the Paralympic Agitos logos.
"Representing the strengths of inclusion in the world of sports is a testament to decades of advocacy and growth in our country, as we recognize and empower athletes of all abilities,” Mike Mushett, Turnstone CEO said.
"I guarantee you that once the word gets out what we have been able to accomplish here, it's going to add an additional layer of receptivity to others wanting to come to our city," Henry says. "What a wonderful way to say Fort Wayne is a city really trying to be as inclusive as possible."
Turnstone's Center For Goalball Excellence has served as the home for the U.S. men's team since 2015 and Team USA women since 2017. Turnstone was designated an U.S. Paralympic Training Site (now U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site) in May of 2018. And the Summit City hosted the International Blind Sports Federation Goalball & Judo Regional Qualifier in the Summer of 2019.
The women qualified at the Fort Wayne qualifier, while the men later qualified during the Parapan American Games later that summer.
The men won the Silver Medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
The Olympics will run July 23 through August 8, 2021 and the Paralympics will run August 24 through September 21. Both events will remain in the Japanese capital and will retain the Tokyo 2020 branding.
Parkview Sports Medicine is proud to be the official sports medicine provider of the men's and women's goalball teams.