Making the Team

05/07/07, Colorado Springs, CO-William Corp, far right in the back, wearing white shirt, dived during a volleyball session at Ft. Carson Special Events Center during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. William Corp, of San Antonio, Texas, is an Army Staff Sergeant (soon to be promoted to Sergeant First Class/E7), Military Police, has blast injury in Iraq amputated his right leg below-the-knee after returning to the states. He plans to remain on active duty and has served nine years with the Army Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778D

05/07/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Calvin Wilson, front, and Tracy Swearingen during a volleyball session at Ft. Carson Special Events Center during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, Colorado Springs, CO.Calvin Wilson, front, 35, of Lake Placid, FL, isPhoto Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778D

08/15/07, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- Kortney Clemons going for his second attempt for 152.5 KG in Men's Heavy-Weight Open Powerlifting, at Riocentro Convention Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He didn't make it in all three attempts.

05/06/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Michael Paul, throws a shot put during a track and field session at USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. Michael Paul, of Murfreesboro, TN, is an Army ? Paul, 34, is a combat veteran of the Gulf War. He sustained his injury (paraplegia) while skydiving on Sept. 29, 2002 and ever since Ð has been competing in wheelchair sports including wheelchair tennis, in which he has won national titles in both singles and doubles competition.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778C

05/06/07, Colorado Springs, CO-The start line of 50M dash during a track and field session at Air Force Academy indoor track venue, during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, Colorado Springs, CO.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778C

05/05/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Alroy Billiman used his right arm to lift the ball to serve during a table tennis session at USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. Alroy Billiman, 27, of San Diego, CA, is an Army Specialist. Originally from a small village on the massive Navajo Reservation on the Arizona-New Mexico border, Billiman, like his grandfather and father, is a Navajo military veteran. Billiman joined the Army in 2000, where he spent over two years in Germany and Kosovo, before returning home for roughly two years. However, in 2005, he was deployed to Iraq. In November 2006, the Humvee Billiman was driving rolled over a roadside bomb, resulting in the loss of his right arm. Since the time of his injury, Billiman has transferred to the San Diego Naval Medical Center and has learned how to use a prosthetic arm. In February 2007, he was awarded a Purple Heart. Billiman is married to wife, Katara, and they have a 15-month-old daughter, Altaevyah.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778B

05/04/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Nathaniel Leoncio, center front, shoots the ball and looks at it during a basketball session at USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. Nathaniel Leoncio, of San Diego, CA, is a Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class. On October 4, 2005, Leoncio and the rest of his company were involved in an accident in Iraq when four improvised explosive devices went off roughly two-feet from their vehicles. Due to injuries sustained in the accident in Iraq, LeoncioÕs right leg was amputated above the knee. In addition, he suffered a shattered right femur and serious internal bleeding. However, LeoncioÕs actions after the blasts, are just as noteworthy; before he allowed himself to be medically evacuated from the scene, Leoncio began directing the other Marines at the scene on how to perform aid on himself and the other injured Marines on site. Due to his actions that day, Leoncio was awarded a Bronze Star.Leoncio attended the USOC Paralympic Military Sports Camp in San Diego, Calif. in 2006 and 2007, as a means of helping with his rehabilitation.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778A

05/04/07, Colorado Springs, CO-John Blue screamed "I am scared, I am scared..." when he fell off the basketball wheelchair while playing basketball during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. John Blue, 28, of San Antonio, TX, is an Army Infantry First Sergeant. Blue was injured on January 27, 2007 in an IED blast in Iraq, resulting in the loss of his right leg below-the-knee. Is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical CenterÉ plans to remain on active duty and has served 16 and a half years. Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778A

05/07/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Travis Greene, left, reacted for a missed serve during a sitting volleyball game during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, at Ft. Carson Special Events Center, Colorado Springs, CO.Travis Greene, 26, of San Diego, CA, is a Marine Corps Corporal. As a star on his high school track and field team, Greene was awarded a track scholarship to Boise State University. Shortly thereafter, Greene joined the Marine Corps. While Greene was on his third tour of Iraq, he and a team were evacuating other Marines who had been injured in an explosion. During this process, a second explosion occurred, resulting in the loss of both of GreeneÕs legs.After the accident, Greene spent more than a year in different rehabilitation facilities and is still undergoing rehabilitation at the U.S. Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Calif. Part of his rehab. involved sports like swimming and wheelchair basketball, but itÕs wheelchair racing that evokes his competitive side.While at the recent 2007 USOC Paralympic Military Summit, Greene expressed interest in attempting to qualify for the 2008 Paralympic Games in the sport. With September marking a year out from the Games, time is tight to ensure proper training and qualification. However, GreeneÕs athletic nature and competitive side indicate heÕll give his best shot.Greene has been awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778D

05/05/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Nathaniel Leoncio during a cycling session in the parking lot of the World Arena (events center) during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, Colorado Springs, CO. Nathaniel Leoncio, 25, of San Diego, CA, is a Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class. On October 4, 2005, Leoncio and the rest of his company were involved in an accident in Iraq when four improvised explosive devices went off roughly two-feet from their vehicles. Due to injuries sustained in the accident in Iraq, LeoncioÕs right leg was amputated above the knee. In addition, he suffered a shattered right femur and serious internal bleeding. However, LeoncioÕs actions after the blasts, are just as noteworthy; before he allowed himself to be medically evacuated from the scene, Leoncio began directing the other Marines at the scene on how to perform aid on himself and the other injured Marines on site. Due to his actions that day, Leoncio was awarded a Bronze Star.Leoncio attended the USOC Paralympic Military Sports Camp in San Diego, Calif. in 2006 and 2007, as a means of helping with his rehabilitation.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778B

05/04/07, Colorado Springs, CO-George Naibandyan, an Army First Lieutenant, dived into the swimming pool as Michael Patrick, top, watched during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, at United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO.George Naibandyan is an Armenian soldier who fought in joint operation with USA and is receiving care at Walter Reed due to prosthetic advances at Walter Reed. He was injured by a grenade while serving in Iraq. Michael Patrick lost his leg April 3, 2004 in Iraq by and IED blast and he was a limb salvage patient for two-plus years and just had his leg amputated in March of 2007. He was tanker. Patrick says as of right now, he plans to medically discharge when he wraps up with rehabilitation. Patrick is married and has one daughter.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778A

08/17/07, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- James Stuck, an Iraqi veteran who was injured in Iraq, cheering for his team vs. Brazil team during Men's Volleyball Sitting Preliminary Round at Riocentro Convention Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. #13 is Josh Franklin and #7 is Bradley Johnson.

05/04/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Travis Greene, center, climbed up the rope as Nathaniel Leoncio, right, cheered, after after they played basketball during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, at United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. Travis Greene, 26, of San Diego, CA, is a Marine Corps Corporal. As a star on his high school track and field team, Greene was awarded a track scholarship to Boise State University. Shortly thereafter, Greene joined the Marine Corps. While Greene was on his third tour of Iraq, he and a team were evacuating other Marines who had been injured in an explosion. During this process, a second explosion occurred, resulting in the loss of both of GreeneÕs legs.After the accident, Greene spent more than a year in different rehabilitation facilities and is still undergoing rehabilitation at the U.S. Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Calif. Part of his rehab. involved sports like swimming and wheelchair basketball, but itÕs wheelchair racing that evokes his competitive side.While at the recent 2007 USOC Paralympic Military Summit, Greene expressed interest in attempting to qualify for the 2008 Paralympic Games in the sport. With September marking a year out from the Games, time is tight to ensure proper training and qualification. However, GreeneÕs athletic nature and competitive side indicate heÕll give his best shot.Greene has been awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778A

08/19/07, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- Giovani Freitas, left, celebrates as they won a point vs USA during Men's Volleyball Sitting Final during Parapan American Games at Riocentro Convention Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil went ahead to win the gold.

08/18/07, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- James Stuck, #8, an Iraqi veteran who was injured in Iraq, watching Reinaldo Ramirez, #6, of Costa Rica, trying to toss the ball. The ball didn't not go over and Costa Rica lost the point which was match point, during Men's Volleyball Sitting Semifinal during Parapan American Games at Riocentro Convention Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They won the game and advanced to final next day.

05/05/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Tim Bomke took a break after measuring his 50M free style timing during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, at United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. Tim Bomke, 31, of Dupont, WA, is an Army First Lieutenant and a member of Alpha CompanyÕs Third Platoon. He was conducting a fairly routine clearing operation in Iraq when insurgents attacked. BomkeÕs suffered serious shrapnel wounds in his legs, and due to fractures in both bones in his lower right leg, it had to be amputated.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778B

05/05/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Tim Bomke, left, and John Blue, getting ready before they swam at USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. Tim Bomke, left, 31, of Dupont, WA, is an Army First Lieutenant and a member of Alpha CompanyÕs Third Platoon. He was conducting a fairly routine clearing operation in Iraq when insurgents attacked. BomkeÕs suffered serious shrapnel wounds in his legs, and due to fractures in both bones in his lower right leg, it had to be amputated.John Blue, right, 28, of San Antonio, TX, is an Army Infantry First Sergeant. Blue was injured on January 27, 2007 in an IED blast in Iraq, resulting in the loss of his right leg below-the-knee. Is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical CenterÉ plans to remain on active duty and has served 16 and a half years.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778B

05/04/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Nathaniel Leoncio after a swimming session at USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, United States Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO. Nathaniel Leoncio, 25, of San Diego, CA, is a Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class. On October 4, 2005, Leoncio and the rest of his company were involved in an accident in Iraq when four improvised explosive devices went off roughly two-feet from their vehicles. Due to injuries sustained in the accident in Iraq, LeoncioÕs right leg was amputated above the knee. In addition, he suffered a shattered right femur and serious internal bleeding. However, LeoncioÕs actions after the blasts, are just as noteworthy; before he allowed himself to be medically evacuated from the scene, Leoncio began directing the other Marines at the scene on how to perform aid on himself and the other injured Marines on site. Due to his actions that day, Leoncio was awarded a Bronze Star.Leoncio attended the USOC Paralympic Military Sports Camp in San Diego, Calif. in 2006 and 2007, as a means of helping with his rehabilitation.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778A

05/07/07, Colorado Springs, CO-Prosthetics lined up while participants played sitting volleyball at Ft. Carson Special Events Center during USOC Paralympic Military Sport Camp, Colorado Springs, CO.Photo Credit: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times Assignment# 30042778D