| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter Andy Gould |
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"We are proud to include wheelchair basketball as an official Mayor's Cup event," said Mayor Giuliani. "Ninety-seven athletes from around the country will compete this weekend in the City's first Mayor's Cup Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. These athletes are a true inspiration to the more than 50 million people with disabilities in the United States, and I wish each of them the best of luck this weekend."
Wheelchair basketball has grown from only a few teams in the 1940s into a sport with more than 200 teams nationwide. Ninety-seven athletes representing eight teams from around the country will take part in the Mayor's Cup. Previously, the City has held basketball, billiards, handball, judo, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball Mayor's Cup tournaments.
Commissioner Podziba said, "This marks another step in our quest to provide greater opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sports competition. This event will offer athletes who are disabled a wonderful opportunity to showcase their courage, sportsmanship and athleticism."
Dr. Richard Traum, president of the Achilles Track Club, said, "We're thankful to Mayor Giuliani and his Administration for supporting athletes with disabilities through the creation of a Mayor's Cup event. This recognition will go a long way toward increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sports."