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Cycling Roundup: Support Sam Bosco's Recovery

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by Alex Abrams

Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para-cycling. Here’s what you missed!

 

Support Sam Bosco's Recovery

The thoughts of U.S. Paralympics Cycling and Team USA are with Samantha Bosco who was involved in a serious bike accident while training for her second Paralympic Games.


We send Sam and her family strength, hope and healing in her journey to recovery. Sam’s perseverance and strength is unparalleled, and the entire Team USA family is with her.


Donations to aid in her recovery can be made here.

 

Bosco and Oksana Masters Earn ESPY Nominations

Oksana Masters was excited to hear the good news, and Bosco needed a moment to take it all in.

 

The U.S. Paralympics Cycling teammates have experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the past few weeks.

 

On June 20, the duo found out that they had qualified for this summer’s Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Two days later, they learned they had each been nominated for an ESPY award — in the same category.

 

Bosco and Masters will be up against each other for Best Athlete With a Disability in Women’s Sports at this year’s ESPYS, which airs on ABC at 8 p.m. EST on July 10. Para swimmer Leanne Smith and wheelchair basketball player Becca Murray are the other nominees in the category.

 

“Finally feel like I’m back from cloud nine; what a whirlwind last week was. Making my second Paralympic team AND an ESPY nomination!” Bosco wrote on Instagram. “So I’m just going to be over here taking another minute to take it all in.”



It has been an eventful month for Masters. She wrote on Instagram on June 10 that she was forced recently “to make the difficult choice to prioritize my health over sports” and have leg surgery.

 

Despite the setback, Masters arrived in Minneapolis to compete in the Paralympic trials. However, her handcycle ended up hitting a curb and she was unable to finish. Nonetheless, when the team was named the next day, Masters qualified for her fifth Paralympics, where she’ll look to add to the eight medals she has earned in Para Nordic skiing and rowing.

 

“The beauty of every setback is that it’s followed by an opportunity for a comeback,” Masters wrote on Instagram. “…With extra detours and road blocks in the road, I’m still coming for you Tokyo with the same goal in mind.”



Fans can vote until July 9 for Bosco or Masters to win the ESPY award by clicking here.

 

Travis Gaertner and Ryan Boyle Hold Out Hope On Making Tokyo

Travis Gaertner posted a photograph of himself looking exhausted on Monday. He continues to train with the hope of earning a last-minute berth to the Tokyo Paralympics.

 

Gaertner, a two-time gold medalist in wheelchair basketball while competing for Canada, wasn’t among the 14 American Para-cyclists who initially qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics. That hasn’t slowed him down, though.

 

Gaertner wrote on Instagram that he trained in 105-degree weather on Monday.

 

“Not giving up yet! Tokyo is hot and I’m still holding up hope for an invitation,” Gaertner wrote.



Meanwhile, Ryan Boyle admitted the recent U.S. Paralympic Team Trials in cycling didn’t go as he had planned because of injuries. Like Gaertner, though, he still hopes to earn an invitation to the Tokyo Paralympics.

 

“I was bummed to say the least, but there is still a glimmer of hope yours truly will still be in Tokyo,” Boyle wrote on Instagram. “Anywho, my fighting spirit goes on!”



Para-Cyclists Share Their Stories

Masters announced on June 25 that she’ll be one of eight athletes featured on the Paralympic Documentary Series, “Who I Am,” heading into the Tokyo Paralympics. She’ll be the only American athlete profiled.

 

Gaertner discussed his training as a guest on a recent episode of the The Superset podcast.

 

Alex Abrams #

Alex Abrams has written about Olympic sports for more than 15 years, including as a reporter for major newspapers in Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He is a freelance contributor to USParaNordicSkiing.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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