In this Friday, July 1, 2016 photo, Kionte Storey practices his starts before his heat in the men’s 100-meter dash during the U.S. Paralympics Team Trials in Charlotte, N.C.
Chuck Burton, Associated Press
Regas Woods headed down the runway for his first attempt at the long jump as fast as he could on his two prosthetic legs. As he hit the board for his jump, one of the carbon fiber blades broke, sending him cartwheeling into the sand pit. After volunteers helped him get to the side, he was faced with a challenge, replace the broken blade or miss a chance at making his long jumps.
“This is my dream and I gotta do it,” Woods said.
Woods, 35, of Dunnellon, Fla., is one of over 400 athletes with disabilities competing for a spot on the U.S. Paralympics Team for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio in September. The Team Trials for Swimming, Track & Field, and Cycling are being competed in Charlotte, N.C. After the competition, the team will be announced. Woods lost his legs when he was 2 1/2 due to a “congenital issue” but it has never slowed him down.
“It’s all about overcoming adversity”, he said. “You’ve got the make the best of it.”
Here is a selection of photos from the competition.
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