On Thursday June 3, 2010 the Inaugural Paralympic Sport New York Track and Field Open was held at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. This event which was sponsored by the New York City Parks Department and endorsed by the New York City Department of Education, hosted over 120 student athletes with physical disabilities who ranged from Fourth Grade to High School Seniors. 

Student athletes competed in 100, 200 and 400 meter races on the track. There was also a slalom obstacle course. In the field, future Paralympians competed in the long jump, bean bag toss, shot put and javelin throw.  

The competition included students from around New York City. From the Bronx came P.S. 306 and P.S. 721. Brooklyn was represented by I.S. 30, Sheepshead Bay High School and  Edward Murrow High School. Manhattan had five schools compete including P.S. 234, Global Leaders Middle School, I.S 143, Marta Valle High School and Murray Bergtraum High School. Long Island City High School made Queens proud.

This was the first competitive track and field  meet for many of the athletes. The entries included Athletes with Visual Impairments, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Traumatic Brain Injuries and Strokes, Muscular Dystrophy, Dwarfism, Spinal Cord Injuries and Leg Amputees.

Congratulations to all the athletes. Many thanks to the various New York City and non-profit agencies that contributed time and effort to make this event a success.