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World Class Athlete · Motivational Speaker  · I/T Specialist

Matt King is an IBM engineer and University of Notre Dame graduate. Matt, who happens to be blind, is also one of the best tandem cyclists in the world.

Matt made his debut on the international cycling scene at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games by setting a world record in the 4,000 meter pursuit. In 1998, at the International Paralympic Committee's World Cycling Championships, he finished with a silver medal in the men's match sprints. Domestically, he is not only a twelve time national champion in the field of American blind cyclists, Matt has also placed top three amongst America's best elite/professional (and sighted) track cyclists.

Matt believes his race results will help the world learn that disabilities do not have to disable, obstacles are opportunities, limitations are not necessarily limiting.

In addition to training, racing and his work at IBM, Matt takes his positive message to students, service organizations, corporations, the media, and other audiences across the country. Every year thousands of people experience Matt teach, inspire, and motivate. He enjoys the opportunity to share his message and make a difference in the lives of others.

Matt not only makes a difference as a teacher and motivator but as an advocate for people with disabilities. Through his work at IBM, as an engineer and expert in the field of accessibility to computers, he is working to improve the lives of people with disabilities by giving them greater access to the world of information technology.

Matt has been featured in the New York Times, Olympian Magazine, WE Magazine, and many other publications. The reason, Matt has a compelling mission and a triumphant and exciting story.


Visa and Outdoor Life Network Step Up to Make Coverage of 2004 Paralympic Games Possible

ATHENS, Greece (September 19, 2004) – In an unprecedented agreement with U.S. Paralympics, Visa USA has committed to be the sole and exclusive U.S. television sponsor of the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, which will appear on Outdoor Life Network (OLN). A two-hour program will recap the 11 days of competition taking place in Athens, Greece through September 28th and will be brought to the viewing public with limited commercial interruptions on Saturday, November 13, 5-7 p.m. Eastern Time.

"Visa is proud to make possible the telecast of the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games here in the United States this November and ensure Americans have an opportunity to see and celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of our Paralympic athletes," said Michael Lynch, senior vice president, Visa USA. "When we were given the chance to make this broadcast possible we felt it was a tremendous way to reinforce our commitment to America's finest athletes, something we are proud to have partnered with through the 2012 Paralympic Games."

Two-time Paralympian and wheelchair track athlete, Cheri Blauwet (Larchwood, Iowa), says, “The athletes are thrilled that the Games will air in the U.S. For all of us, they are the most important competition and the fact that friends, family and fans of U.S. Paralympics will now be able to watch is absolutely wonderful.”

Prior to Visa and OLN stepping up to the plate, no network had committed to televising the 2004 Paralympic Games. Outdoor Life Network, home of best-in-class events like the Tour de France, felt that the Games was a story that needed to be told.

"When we began talking to the USOC about the Paralympics on OLN, it was an easy decision," said Gavin Harvey, President of OLN.  "While the event falls a bit outside of our traditional programming, Paralympians are inspirational athletes with amazing stories.  We felt very strongly that the event, and these athletes, needed to be seen in the U.S."

"The United States Olympic Committee is proud to partner with Visa and The Outdoor Life Network to make coverage of the 2004 Paralympic Games available to viewers in America,” said Jim Scherr, USOC Chief of Sport Performance. “Thanks to the support of these outstanding companies, viewers will have the opportunity to witness the inspiring accomplishments of our Paralympians as they strive to reach new levels of athletic and personal excellence at the Paralympic Games in Athens.”

 

 

 

 

 

·Visa and Outdoor Life Network Step Up to Make TV Coverage of 2004 Paralympic Games Possible ATHENS, Greece (September 19, 2004) – In an unprecedented agreement with U.S. Paralympics, Visa USA has committed to be the sole and exclusive U.S. television sponsor of the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, which will appear on Outdoor Life Network (OLN). A two-hour program will recap the 11 days of competition taking place in Athens, Greece through September 28th and will be brought to the viewing public with limited commercial interruptions on Saturday, November 13, 5-7 p.m. Eastern Time. (Please read full article on the left side of page)

2004 Athens Paralympic Games - Facts & Figures

  • Almost 50 Broadcasters were present in Athens (new record).

  • The total number of tickets sold was almost 800,000.
     

  • More than 3,200 Media representatives were accredited.
     
  • A record of 136 nations (new record, breaking Sydney's of 123) participated in Athens Games.
     
  • The total number of athletes in the Paralympic Games was 3,969 (2,763 men and 1,206 women), which is also a new record, compared to the 3,843 who had competed in Sydney.
     
  • The Greek athletes were 135.
     
  • 680 torchbearers carried the Paralympic Flame in a 410-kilometre journey through 54 municipalities of Attica.
     
  • China won 141 medals (63 gold, 46 silver, 32 bronze), topping the final medal standings, which featured a total of 75 nations.
     
  • Greece won 20 medals (3 gold, 13 silver, 4 bronze), 9 more than in the Sydney Paralympic Games.
     
  • The top multi-medallist in the Athens Paralympic Games was swimmer Mayumi NARITA (JPN), with 7 gold and one bronze medals.
     
  • 304 World Records and 448 Paralympic Records were broken in Athens.
     
  • More than 600 doping tests have been conducted in the Athens Paralympic Games--seven of them positive.
19 Paralympic sports were held in the Athens Paralympic Games, at 20 Paralympic Venues.
· Send e-mail to Matt and Eric athens2004@thekinglink.com
 
· Journal - Read all about Eric, Matt and their teammates trip to Athens, Greece!
·Paralympic Opening Ceremonies sold out!  Check out www.athens2004.com (official website) or www.usocpressbox.org to read about the Paralympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies!  Over 70,000 attended - sold out! The day pass tickets for the entire Paralympics also sold out!
· Thought we would share some of the nice notes we have received from all over the world. Thank you for the support and encouraging words.  If we know one thing...we couldn't have made this Paralympic dream come true without you. Thank you!

September 18, 2004

Hello Matt, Eric, Kim and the rest of the King family,

Just a quick note to wish Matt and Eric the very best

of luck as they go for GOLD IN ATHENS!!! We were

watching the opening ceremonies here in Sydney this

evening (Saturday, 18 Sept.), and to our surprize and

enjoyment as the USA team was entering the stadium,

the camera panned onto a shot of Matt. We gave out

a huge cheer upon seeing him. All the best and we will be watching the games in hopes of seeing Matt and Eric take out the GOLD in each of their events.

With love and warmest wishes, Brenda and Chris Richards

Sydney, Australia

September 17, 2004, 

I just want to say how positive I felt after running into you on the intranet. I was feeling negative about so many things in my life - when I see your website and read about you I feel challenged to make the best of my life.God bless you - wish you and Eric good luck in Athens! Sethu from the USA

 

 

Picture - Matt King Portrait Picture - Karen Dunne/Matt King racing Picture - Garth Blackburn/Matt King racing

 


Team King
Telephone: 719.339.1557
kim@thekinglink.com

updated 06/11/2011
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US Paralympics

US Paralympics