U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Announces Roster for Paris 2024 Paralympic Men’s Goalball Team
U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Announces Roster for Paris 2024 Paralympic Goalball Men’s Team
(July 16, 2024) – Colorado Springs, CO – The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) proudly announces the roster for the U.S. Paralympic Goalball Men’s Team set to compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games marks a significant milestone for our athletes, who have shown exceptional dedication and performance in the lead-up to this global event. The nominated athletes will represent the United States in the goalball competition, a team sport designed for athletes with visual impairments.
The six (6) athletes selected to represent Team USA at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in the sport of goalball –
- Tre’Shaun Faison (Orange Park, FL)
- Christian King (Virginia Beach, VA)
- Tyler Merren (Greenville, MI) – 4-time Paralympian
- Matt Simpson (Smyrna, GA) – 2-time Paralympian
- Calahan Young (Pittsburgh, PA) – Paralympian
- Zion Walker (Winchester, VA)
In addition, Zach Buhler, PLY (Huntington, IN), and Jordan Main (Austin, TX) have been named alternates on the team. The head coach is Keith Young, who will be assisted by James Wallace. Goalball Team Supporting Staff include Amanda Duke Boulet, Team Leader; Adam McDowell, Team Athletic Trainer; EJ Whitney, Strength & Conditioning; Michael Holmes, Resident Program Athletic Trainer; Kate Davis, Sport Dietitian; and Ciaran Connery, Sports Psychology.
Merren and Simpson return to the team from their silver-medal winning men’s squad in Rio 2016. For Merren, Paris will mark his fifth Paralympic Games. He also won a bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Games and was a Beijing 2008 Paralympic Team member. Simpson and Young were part of the Tokyo 2020 team. Faison, King and Walker will be making their Paralympic Games debut in Paris.
Amanda Duke Boulet, USABA Director of Sport Performance, expressed her enthusiasm for the team’s prospects, stating, “Our depth of talent is the deepest it has been in many years, and we are looking forward to this group of men competing for and representing Team USA and USABA at the Paris Paralympics this summer. We are pleased to have a mix of return Paralympians and first-time Paralympians as part of our 2024 Paris Paralympic team representing themselves and our country on our quest for a Paralympic medal.”
Keith Young, Head Coach of the USA Goalball Men’s National Team, added, “We are thrilled to announce this incredible group of athletes who will represent Team USA in Paris,” said Keith Young, Head Coach of the U.S. Paralympic Goalball Men’s Team. It has been a whirlwind the last 3 years since the Tokyo Paralympic Games, with the qualification process and preparation leading into the Paris Paralympic Games. This team has a high level of competitive drive and a great mixture of veterans and emerging international players. We are confident they will make us proud on the world stage.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024, and feature over 4,400 athletes from around the world competing in 22 sports. Seven other men’s teams will compete for Paralympic Games medals at the Paris Games. Matches will be held at the South Paris Arena, part of the Paris Expo, where fans can witness the speed, strategy, and intensity of this unique sport.
The USA Goalball Men’s Paralympic Team has a storied history of excellence in international competition, and the 2024 roster is ready to add a new chapter to this legacy. For more information about the U.S. Paralympic Men’s Goalball Team and their journey to Paris 2024, visit usaba.org or follow social handles: Facebook: United States Association of Blind Athletes; Instagram: @USABA1; Twitter: @USABA.
Our countdown to Paris begins now! All nominations to the Paris 2024 U.S. Paralympic Team are subject to approval by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
About U.S. Association of Blind Athletes
Founded in 1976, the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is a dual-mission organization proud to serve as the National Governing Body for the Paralympic team sports of goalball and blind soccer and providing sport and recreational opportunities for the blind and visually impaired community. USABA is a member organization of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and US Soccer. In addition to community outreach and grassroots work with athletes, coaches, and referees, USABA is committed to developing a comprehensive support system, fostering a culture of excellence, and ensuring athletes have the resources to compete in all levels of sport. Our commitment is to provide quality programming and enriching experiences for the blind and visually impaired.
About USA Goalball
Goalball is a unique Paralympic team sport. It was created specifically for blind and visually impaired athletes and not adapted from another Olympic sport. Since 1976, U.S. goalball teams have earned 12 Paralympic Games medals (men: 1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze; women: 2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze;) and 11 world championship medals (men: 1 gold, 2 bronze; women: 4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze).