The University's Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services will play host to the nation's aspiring Paralympic track and field athletes at its 2,100 square feet facility, which provides access to specialised new equipment, including roller stations, Nordic ski ergs and weights, thanks to a $160,000 (£98,000/€13,000) donation from BP.

"We are pleased to support the University of Illinois and its dynamic wheelchair programme in a more formal manner," said Cathy Sellers, US Paralympics track and field high performance director.

"The programme has produced many Paralympic athletes who've reached the podium and we look forward to its continued success."

Indeed, the university has produced some of the nation's biggest Paralympic stars, including five-time gold medallist Jean Driscoll and multiple Olympic and Paralympic champion Sharon Hedrick.

At the London 2012 Paralympics, 10 of the nation's 28 track and field medals came from athletes that had been through the university's wheelchair programme, including Tatyana McFadden's three gold and one bronze medal and Raymond Martin's four gold medals.

The University of Illinois has produced some of the US' biggest Paralympic stars, including Raymond Martin ©Getty Images


Four-time Paralympian and Athens 2004 silver medallist Adam Bleakney, named the USOC's Paralympic National Coach of the Year in 2013, leads the University of Illinois training programme, which currently looks after 22 athletes, including 12 Paralympians, six Paralympic medallists and four gold medallists.

Collectively, they also own four world records, and have won the Boston, London, Chicago and New York City Marathons.

"We are excited about the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the United States Olympic Committee by becoming one of its elite Paralympic training facilities," said Tanya Gallagher, Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences.

"Since athletes from our programme at Illinois participated in the first Paralympic Games we have had a sustained commitment to the worldwide recognition and celebration of athletic ability that these games represent.

"We are honoured to have been selected as a training site and for the support we received from BP."

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