Ann Arbor Times

The 2024 Paralympic Games will commence on August 28 and continue through September 8. University of Michigan experts are available to discuss various aspects related to the games, including personal experiences and the evolution of adaptive sports at global, national, and collegiate levels.

Oluwaferanmi Okanlami, a prominent advocate for adaptive sports and inclusivity, directs Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services at U-M. He oversees Services for Students with Disabilities and the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program. Additionally, he serves as an assistant professor of family medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine. Nationally, he was appointed to President Biden’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition and speaks on creating accessible health systems and inclusive sports environments.

Erik Robeznieks is the associate director of Adaptive Sports & Fitness at U-M. Previously, he worked with Wheelchair Basketball Canada, managing operations for national programs and serving on staff with Team Canada during the Rio 2016 Paralympics. His expertise includes developing and managing adaptive sports programs, athlete conditioning and training, and promoting inclusivity in sports.

Chuck Aoki is a three-time U.S. Paralympic Games athlete who currently serves as a community access navigator for U-M’s Adaptive Sports & Fitness program. He focuses on increasing access to adaptive sports opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and their medical providers. Aoki competed in wheelchair rugby at three Summer Paralympic Games: London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Tokyo 2021. He earned a bronze medal in London and silver medals in both Rio and Tokyo. He also had the honor of leading the U.S. athletes as the male flag bearer during the opening ceremony in Tokyo. Aoki is training for the 2024 Games in Paris with hopes of securing a gold medal.

Geoff Burns is a running physiology and biomechanics researcher at the School of Kinesiology and a sport physiologist with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. His expertise lies in running biomechanics and assisting elite athletes in improving their performance. He is currently in Paris supporting Team USA athletes during the Paralympic Games.

“In parasport, every athlete is a hyper-unique case study,” Burns said. “I’m constantly learning new subject matter—from thermoregulation in athletes with spinal cord injuries to circadian patterns of individuals with visual impairments to the biomechanics of prosthetics—which is all like a drug to me.”

Sam Grewe is a U-M medical student preparing for his third Paralympic Games as defending gold medalist in the T63 High Jump from Tokyo 2021 where he also won silver at Rio de Janeiro 2016.

Leo Merle recently graduated from U-M School of Dentistry making his debut at these games after competing in Para World Championships Paris lowering his American record finishing fourth globally.

Each paralympian's journey showcases resilience determination exceptional talent overcoming physical societal barriers achieving peak performance exemplified by Sam Grewe Leo Merle representing US Paris.

The cultural impact promotes inclusivity challenges perceptions provides platform raising awareness about disability rights importance accessibility fostering inclusive society discussed by Oluwaferanmi Okanlami Chuck Aoki.

Technological innovations enhancing capabilities performance discussed by Oluwaferanmi Okanlami Erik Robeznieks Geoff Burns while training preparation rigorous specialized regimens tailored needs each athlete covered by Erik Robeznieks Chuck Aoki Sam Grewe Leo Merle Geoff Burns reflect history trends viewership dating back first official games Rome evolving reflecting societal shifts towards greater recognition inclusion athletes disabilities explained by Oluwaferanmi Okanlami Erik Robeznieks

For more information visit U-M’s Adaptive Sports & Fitness website or follow @umichadaptivesports on Instagram.

---