USOC And Veterans Affairs Join Forces

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs has awarded the United States Olympic Committee, based in Colorado Springs a grant of $7.5 million to provide recreation and sport activities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces

The grant was announced by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet on Friday.

According to a news release from the Office of Senator Bennet:

?This funding will help ensure our veterans will have the benefit of adaptive sports training programs to complement our efforts to facilitate their transition to civilian life,? said Bennet. ?Working with the USOC, the VA is making it easier for disabled and non-disabled veterans alike to engage in physical activities that promote teamwork and healthy, productive lives.?

?This support from Veterans Affairs is having a positive impact on communities across the country,? said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. ?The funding is expanding programs and creating more opportunities for veterans with physical disabilities.?

In 2010 the VA awarded $7.5 million to the USOC to begin the program. Under terms of the agreement, VA funds are provided to the USOC?s member organizations, Paralympic Sports Clubs and Veteran and military organizations to start community-based, physical activity programs for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.

Bennet is co-chair of the Congressional Olympic Caucus, a bi-partisan caucus formed to address Olympic legislative issues.