There has already been quite a buzz about this morning’s NY Times article re: handcycling.
For reference, the article is HERE.
The USHF official position on this issue has not changed, and is re-stated below for your information:
Michael Weinreb's article (November 2) about the controversy between wheelchair racers and handcyclists at marathons is good reading. The USHF is a cycling organization. We do not encourage, nor discourage handcyclists from participating in foot races, as it is does not fall within the scope of our efforts.
It is is important to note, that there is a community of handcyclists who train and race within the bicycle racing community (a demographic barely mentioned in Mr. Weinreb's article), without controversy. This population of athletes is growing, and the USHF intends to create more infrastructure to support them.
Handcycling is part of the International Paralympic Committee's Cycling Program. The international governing body for cycling - the Union Cycliste International - recognizes handcycling under the umbrella of cycling, from the Paralympics all the way down to the grassroots level.
Domestically, USHF is working with U.S. Paralympics and USA Cycling (both part of the USOC structure), to run integrated cycling events that pair athletes with and without disabilities, and there are dozens of cycling races nationwide welcoming handcyclists. While the controversy discussed in Mr. Weinreb's article is indeed newsworthy, it represents only one element of handcycling.
We (USHF) need to do a better job of negotiating (and promoting) more opportunities for handcyclists in the cycling arena, and we plan to do so per directives from the USHF Board Meeting last month. Please stay tuned for more information as we move in to 2007 / 2008 with a new Board, and paid staff for the first time ever!
Ian L. Lawless
Executive Director,
U.S. Handcycling Federation
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