From flag bearers to gold-medal favorites, local Paralympians ready for the spotlight

[KARE 11 News, August 24, 2021] Two Minnesotans were in the spotlight during the opening ceremony of the Paralympics on Tuesday, and there are plenty of local athletes to keep watching as the games begin this week.

"It's a really big deal," said Megan Welty, manager of Adaptive Sports and Recreation for Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. "Minnesota has 13 incredible athletes who are competing this year, and the time and commitment that these athletes put in is on par with what the athletes are doing at the Olympic level. They are elite athletes."

Welty knows, because she's seen several come through the doors of the Courage Kenny Adaptive Sports Program in recent years.

"We have five athletes that came from our program that are competing in the Paralympics this year," Welty said. "Three of them are on the USA wheelchair women's basketball team."