Logo of the International Paralympic Committee 2019Much of the attention surrounding Tokyo has been focused on athletes set to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, but Illinois will also be well represented in the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games, which follows the Olympic Games later in August.

This year’s Paralympic Games will be held from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, hosting athletes from around the world – over 35 of whom come from right here in Illinois. The athletes will compete in 22 events, with Badminton and Taekwondo making their debut this year.

The athletes with relation to Illinois who will be competing are high school athletes, former and current pro-athletes, and others who competed for Illinois universities.

Below is a list of athletes with connections to Illinois.

Track and Field

  • Coach Adam Bleakney – United States
  • Coach Joey Peters – United States
  • Hannah Dederick – United States
  • Jenna Fesemyer – United States
  • Alexa Halko – United States
  • Yen Hoang – United States
  • Eva Houston – United States
  • Isaac Jean-Paul – United States
  • Kelsey LeFevour – United States
  • Ray Martin – United States
  • Chelsea McClammer – United States
  • Tatyana McFadden – United States
  • Amanda McGrory – United States
  • Aaron Pike – United States
  • Isaiah Rigo – United States
  • Daniel Romanchuk – United States
  • Susannah Scaroni – United States
  • Brian Siemann – United States

Men’s Basketball

  • Coach Christina Schwab – United States
  • Coach Robb Taylor – United States
  • Brian Bell – United States
  • Ryan Neiswender – United States
  • Steve Serio – United States
  • Patrick Anderson – Canada
  • Nik Goncin – Canada

Women’s Basketball

  • Kaitlyn Eaton – United States
  • Ixhelt Gonzalez – United States
  • Ali Ibanez – United States
  • Kady Dandeneau – Canada
  • Helen Freeman – Great Britain

Rowing

  • Edina Mueller – Germany

Men’s Tennis

  • Dylan Alcott – Australia

Cycling

  • Joe Berenyi – United States

Judo

  • Maria Liana Mutia – United States

Swimming

  • Keegan Knott – United States
  • Ahalya Lettenberger – United States
  • Makayla Nietzel – United States

Triathlon

  • Hailey Danz – United States
  • Kendall Gretsch – United States

Rugby

  • Coach Kevin Orr - Japan
  • Chuck Melton – United States