Paralympic Athletes Train at HFA-Member Clubs

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games get underway today and run through September 8. Some 4,400 athletes from around the world will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports.

Three Health & Fitness Association-member clubs are well-represented at the games.

Emily Oberst, age 26, is a member of FFC Gold Coast in Chicago, Illinois, and a member of Team USA's Women's Wheelchair Basketball team.

At the age of 13, Emily was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She underwent two years of surgeries, chemotherapy, and rehabilitation. Due to extensive bone surgery, she was no longer able to maintain physical strength for extended periods of time, so she switched from traditional sports to wheelchair basketball.

Oberst spends one long weekend per month at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The rest of her Paralympic training happens at FFC Gold Coast.

"It's super nice that this (FFC) location has a basketball court so I can easily come shoot hoops when I need to get those sessions in and then lift for the conditioning portion of my training," she said. See FFC's full interview with Emily.

Paralympic alpine skier Ravi Drugan, age 34, is a member of Downtown Athletic Club (DAC) in Eugene, Oregon.

In 2004, Drugan lost both of his legs after surviving being hit by a train. His injury led his parents to introduce him to alpine skiing through Oregon Adaptive Sports. Drugan joined the U.S. Para Alpine team in 2017 and has since become a Paralympian (2022) and has had lots of success on the World Cup and national circuit. Drugan earned a bronze medal at the 2015 X Games in Mono Ski-Cross.

Having spent most of his childhood in Eugene, Drugan returns home during the off-season and stops by to train at the DAC.

"Paralympic Alpine Skier Ravi Drugan trains year-round for his moment in the spotlight, whether at Mt. Bachelor, Utah, Colorado, Sweden, Italy, or any other breathtaking mountain range," the club posted on its social media. "It's always a joy to welcome him back, and even more gratifying to witness his success."

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Eric Newby, age 36, is a 2x Paralympic Silver Medalist, ten year National Team veteran, and co-captain of Team USA's wheelchair rugby team. He is also a member of Club Fitness in St. Peters, Missouri. Newby is competing in his 3rd Paralympic Games this summer.

"From overcoming incredible odds to captaining the USA Wheelchair Rugby Team, Eric Newby's journey is nothing short of inspiring," says Club Fitness CEO Eric Schreimann. "As a proud member of our Club Fitness family, Eric embodies resilience and determination every day."

Injured in a car accident on the night of his high school graduation, Newby found independence and freedom when he was introduced to wheelchair rugby 5 weeks after his accident. He credits the sport for rebuilding his confidence and independence, for pulling him out of depression and realizing his full potential. Wheelchair rugby has also led him to meet his wife, Megan, with whom he shares 2 kids: Rory (4) and Nolan (1).

Best wishes to Oberst, Drugan, Newby, and all of the Paralympic athletes competing this summer!

Does a Paralympic or Olympic athlete train at your club? Let us know!