Ocho Atletas Colombianos Participaran en la Maratón de Nueva York este Domingo

Nueva York, 30 de octubre. El Consulado de Colombia anuncia la participación de un destacado grupo de atletas colombianos en la Maratón de Nueva York 2009 que se realizara este domingo primero de noviembre.

Los deportistas son miembros de la Liga de Atletas Discapacitados de las Fuerzas Militares de Colombia, la mayoría de ellos fueron víctimas de minas antipersonales.

La participación de este grupo ejemplar, será posible gracias a la colaboración de la Embajada de Estados Unidos en Bogotá, quien proporcionará los tiquetes aéreos para los 10 integrantes de la delegación (8 atletas y 2 médicos). Los gastos adicionales serán cubiertos por diversos patrocinadores.

A group of Colombian citizens will participate in the 2009 NYC Marathon on November 1. The athletes are members of the Armed Forces Disabled Athletes League, the majority of whom were injured by landmines.The U.S. Embassy in Bogota provided airline tickets to 10 members of the delegation and additional costs will be covered by various sponsors.

The Team selected to participate in the New York Marathon is the next:

Colonel. Gabriel Cardona.
50 years old.
7 years practicing the sport (Cycling, Hand cycling, athletics with prosthesis, diving, mountaineering - climbed the summit of Aconcagua).
Lives in Bogotá.
Acquired his disability by a cylinder with a bomb attack, lost his left leg below the knee.
Participate in Hand Cycling.

Sergeant. Francisco Pedraza.
32 years old.
4 years practicing the sport (Hand cycling, pushrim, diving)
Lives in Bogotá.
Acquired his disability by land mine, lost both his legs above the knee.
Participate in Hand Cycling.

Professional Soldier. Héctor Peña
28 years old.
1 year practicing the sport (Swimming, Athletics)
Lives in Ibague Tolima, but he is training in Bogotá
Acquired his disability by land mine with acids, he is blind.
Participate in athletics with guide.

Major. Jorge Eliecer Bermeo Meneses

Professional Soldier. Reynaldo Torres
27 years old.
2 years practicing the sport (Athletics)
Lives in Bogotá
Acquired his disability by land mine with acids, he is blind.
Participate in athletics with guide.

Major. Ricaurte Oviedo Martínez

Professional Soldier. Jimmy Beitía
32 years old.
6 years practicing the sport (Pushrim, athletics with prosthesis, diving)
Lives in Cali
Acquired his disability by land mine, lost his left leg below the knee.
Participate in Pushrim.

Professional Soldier. Fabio Jaimes
28 years old.
3 years practicing the sport (Pushrim)
Lives in Bucaramanga, but he is training in Bogotá
Acquired his disability in combat, was gunshot in the spinal cord.
Participate in Pushrim.

Bachelor Soldier. Pierry Ramírez
32 years old.
14 years practicing the sport (Basketball, Tennis, Power Lifting, Hand Cycling)
Lives in Bogotá
Acquired his disability in a transit accident, he has spinal cord injury.
Participate in Hand Cycling

Mr. Oscar González
48 years old.
1 year practicing the sport (Hand Cycling)
Acquired his disability by polio, when he was 1 year old.
Participate in Hand Cycling.

Mr. Mario Calle
50 years old.
10 years practicing the sport (Pushrim, Hand Cycling)
Acquired his disability in a transit accident, he has spinal cord injury.
Participate in Hand Cycling.