COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is pleased to announce that Universal Sports, a multiplatform destination for amateur sports programming, will provide the first-ever multiplatform broadcast coverage of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, presented by GE in the United States.  Daily video highlights will also be webcast on the official site of the U.S. Paralympic Team, usparalympics.org. The groundbreaking broadcast will premiere on Sept. 6, on UniversalSports.com and Oct. 8, on Universal Sports TV, followed by a special presentation of the events on NBC, Oct. 18.

“The U.S. Olympic Committee is making a tremendous investment in building the Paralympic movement in the United States.  That commitment has helped significantly raise the awareness of Paralympic programs since 2004, and this broadcast agreement is clear evidence of the growing interest nationally in Paralympic sport,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, U.S. Olympic Committee.  “The amazing platform provides an exceptional opportunity to showcase the talents of the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team, introduce more individuals with physical disabilities to the Paralympic movement and inspire all Americans.”            

Viewers will have the opportunity to watch the Paralympic Games, Sept. 6-17, with daily live and delayed highlight shows on UniversalSports.com and usparalympics.org.  The official U.S. Paralympic Team site will also host daily video blogs from U.S. athletes and delegation members.  Beginning in 2009, the U.S. Olympic Network will re-air portions of the 2008 Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic Games are an elite sporting event for persons with physical disabilities. In Beijing, a total of 4,000 athletes from around 150 countries will be competing in 20 sports and the U.S. will be represented by 213 athletes.

For current Universal Sports scheduling information for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, please visit UniversalSports.com