By James Crook

NewUSOClogo2April 24 - The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) have announced the winners of their Paralympic Amazing Awards, which are to be presented at its Paralympic Leadership Conference which takes place this weekend (April 26-28) in Colorado.

"Developing a 'Gateway to Gold' requires innovation, excellence and results," said USOC chief of Paralympics Charlie Huebner.

"The 2013 winners of our Paralympic Amazing Awards are delivering in the areas of grassroots development, elite high performance, sponsorship and philanthropy and telling the Paralympic story.

"Their success is making a significant impact on the delivery of high quality programming to persons with physical disabilities throughout the United States."

USA Hockey have won the Amazing Leader Award, North Jersey Navigators the Amazing Sport Club Award, RE/MAX co-founders Dave and Gail Liniger will receive the Amazing Investor Award, USOC sponsors BP America take the Amazing Impact Award, American Paralympic cyclist Muffy Davis- who took three gold medals at London 2012- wins the Amazing Mentor Award, and the United Service Organisations (USO) win the Amazing Salute Award for their dedication to servicemen and their families.

580258 10151093996221623 898625722 nMuffy Davis, who won triple-gold at London 2012, wins the Amazing Mentor Award

"We're honoured to be recognised by US Paralympics with the Amazing Leader Award." said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey.

"We're an inclusive organisation that works extremely hard to support both able-bodied and disabled athletes and this award is really a reflection of the thousands of volunteers across the country that champion those efforts."

John I. Pray Junior, executive vice-president and chief of staff of the USO, said that the organisation would accept the award on behalf of those that the USO has helped, and pledged to continue to offer the same level of support to those that rely on them.

"It's an honour for the USO to receive the Amazing Salute Award in recognition of our continuous support of wounded, ill and injured troops and their families through programmes and services like the Warrior Games." he said.

"Being selected for this award by the US Olympic Committee, one of the pioneer organisations to recognise the importance of active and healthy living during recovery is an even greater honour.

"The USO accepts the Amazing Salute Award on behalf of all of the troops and families who count on us for support during their recovery process and we make the promise today, as we do every day, that we will always be by their side both on and off the battlefield."

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