Long and Martin named US Paralympic Sportspeople of the Year ... - Insidethegames.biz

AppId is over the quota
By David Gold

September 20 - The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has announced its Paralympic athletes and teams of the year following the London 2012 Games.

Swimmer Jessica Long (pictured top) was awarded the Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year title after she won eight medals, five of them gold, in London.

Equalling the haul of fellow swimmer Jacqueline Freney of Australia, Long took home the most medals won by any athlete in London, and brought her total to 17 medals won over three Paralympic Games.

The award adds to the Disabled Swimmer of the Year accolade Long received in 2011 from Swimming World Magazine, and the ESPY Award for the Best Female Athlete with a Disability she won earlier this year.

The Paralympic Sportsman of the Year was Raymond Martin, the wheelchair racer who won every event he entered on his Paralympic Games debut at London 2012.

Raymond Martin won every event he entered on his Paralympic debut at London 2012

The 18-year-old won the United States' first track and field gold of London 2012 in the T52 100 metres, before winning the 200m, 400m and 800m.

The Paralympic Team of the Year award was given to the United States' men's quad doubles wheelchair tennis pair of David Wagner and Nick Taylor, who won their third consecutive gold medal in London.

They stunned British favourites Peter Norfolk and Andy Lapthorne in the final at Eton Manor earlier this month to defend their title.

The Americans have now won the event at each Paralympic Games since it was introduced at Athens 2004.

David Wagner and Nick Taylor celebrate their London 2012 wheelchair tennis gold

In addition, Wagner claimed silver in the men's singles competition, with Taylor taking bronze.

"We are so proud to honour these young men and women who represent the finest ambassadors of sport," said USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun.

"Through their commitment to excellence on and off the field, these athletes represent our country with incredible grace and composure, and their outstanding achievements are an inspiration to all Americans."

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