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WBM may 2013
Top: US sailing team
members: Dr. Anne Allen,
coach Marko Dahlberg,
athlete Marc LeBlanc and
team leader Lee Icyda at the
2012 opening ceremonies in
London. Far left: Dr. Allen at
the 2008 Paralympic Games
in Beijing closing ceremonies.
Left: Dr. Allen at the 2004
Paralympics in Athens.
When we flew home from China I knew it would be
the last time I saw him and he sat there and put that gold
medal around my neck and said, ‘Thanks Doc, for all you have
done for me,’ and we took a picture together. He passed away
two months later.
WBM: How has the global awareness changed about disabled
athletes and the Paralympics since you became involved?
ALLEN: Before the Beijing games, most of the disabled people
in China were basically shunned. When all of these disabled
athletes were coming in from all over the world, essentially as
heroes, it changed the thinking and sparked a huge cultural
revolution. The press in China said the biggest legacy the
Olympic and Paralympic games would leave in the country
would be its national awareness of what the disabled population
can actually do. It is a unifying thing. Just as the Olympics unify
many different countries, the Paralympics unify the disabled
and able bodied all at the same time.
WBM: When was the first time you got to walk out during the
opening ceremony with the US team for an Olympic or Paralympic
event?
ALLEN: The first time I got to walk with the team was in the 2004
Athens Summer Paralympic Games. It is the most amazing feeling
you can ever imagine, to represent the United States, to … follow
behind the flag of the United States of America as you walk in
that stadium. I got to do that again in China and most recently
in London and it doesn’t change. It is always so special to walk
with the US team, just knowing how hard everyone worked to
get there. It is really probably the biggest honor you could have in
your life … but I tell you, it is also a big honor being able to take
care of your family and friends from your hometown too.
Out of all the places in the world I have traveled to and
spent time working in, I would rather live, work and play at
Wrightsville Beach than anywhere. Not only because it is home,
but because it is one of the most beautiful places and the people
here are fantastic.
Dr. Anne Allen