Tulsa Center To Become An Olympic Training Ground

A Tulsa center that helps people with disabilities is becoming an Olympic training ground. The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges announced Thursday it's teaming up with the US Paralympics team.

The Center has been helping people in Tulsa since 1957. Today, a new chapter began as it looks to send athletes to the Paralympics.

Anthony Meadows is one of the many athletes who hone their skills at the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.

Meadows was 19 years old when he lost use of his legs. He says playing sports like wheelchair basketball, football, or tennis has helped him with his recovery.

"I felt like I was stuck in cement at one point in my life. And by being in athletics, it basically gave me that outlet to feel like I was just a normal individual," Meadows said.

Thursday, the Center announced a new partnership to help people like Meadows and Shaw achieve an Olympic size dream. It's teaming up with the U.S. Paralympics team to become its third official sports club in Oklahoma.

That means these athletes now have a place to train and tryout for the Paralympics.

"You have to start at a sport club and you can train in various sport offerings. You're welcome to stay at that level but, you're also welcome to move up the pipeline and get more competitive in nature," said Lori Long, Executive Director.

The Center hopes this partnership with the US Paralympics team helps it reach out to more veterans who are injured in war, get them more active and rekindle that competitive spirit.

Logan Shaw says competitive sports helped him deal with his injuries and is looking forward to trying to make the Paralympics team.

"I really hope I'm going to make it. That's really the top of the notch whenever it comes to competitive sports, playing for the U.S. and representing," Shaw said.

The center does not get any money from the U.S. Paralympics team but it's now eligible for grants and more resources to improve its facilities.