Atlanta-based adaptive sports nonprofit sends off alumna to 2024 Paralympics

August 27th, 2024

United States' Bailey Moody (43) shoots against Canada's Kathleen Dandeneau (13) during a women's wheelchair basketball quarterfinal game against the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

It’s been more than two weeks since Team USA’s Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead gripped the American flag and escorted it through France’s largest stadium to close out the 2024 Paris Olympics.

On Wednesday, the 2024 Paralympic Games holds its opening ceremony, also in Paris, which will bring more than 4,400 top athletes from around the world together to compete in 22 sports over 11 days.

It wasn’t always like this. Atlanta in 1996 played a pivotal role in bringing the two events together, said Dawn Churi. She’s the executive director of Blaze Sports America — an Atlanta-based nonprofit that works to expand adaptive sports and train athletes with physical disabilities.

This year, former Blaze Sports athlete and returning Paralympian Bailey Moody will represent the United States in wheelchair basketball. The 2021 bronze medal-winner also plays for the University of Alabama’s champion women’s team.

“All of our youth programs do have a competitive track, and a Paralympic track, because that is our mission, our goal,” Churi said.

Churi said Blaze Sports work with more than 1,000 athletes each year across several sports, including swimming, tennis, basketball and track and field.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.