The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation today announced the newest class of Team USA Community Champions, which included three-time Paralympic gold medalist and former U.S. National Sled Team member Rico Roman.
Team USA Community Champions celebrates Team USA athletes who demonstrate their commitment to nonprofit causes in the realms of health, wellness or youth sports. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation aims to spread the Olympic and Paralympic values in communities across the nation through the Team USA Community Champion grants.
Roman is a volunteer for Bridge City Inclusive Sports. The organization offers inclusive sport opportunities to communities in Portland, Oregon. With a focus on disabled youth, Bridge City Inclusive Sports serves as a hub for anyone interested in trying adaptive sports.
The other award recipients include Connie Carpenter Phinney (Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s), Alysia Montaño (&Mother), Tara Peterson (Hope Dental Clinic).
“This award genuinely means the world to me, and it’s such an incredible opportunity to raise awareness for the causes we care about not just as athletes, but as people who invest in our communities,” said Roman. “I’m also honored to be among incredibly deserving peers like Connie, Tara and Alysia. Thank you to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation for this recognition. It will make such an impact for adaptive athletes in my hometown and beyond.”
NOTES: Rico Roman was a member of the U.S. National Sled Team from 2010-2022 … The three-time Paralympic gold medalist competed in five World Para Ice Hockey Championships, helping the United States capture three gold medals (2021, 2019, 2012) and a pair of silver medals (2017, 2013) … Roman is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a Purple Heart recipient
Source: usahockey.com