U.S. Takes Biathlon Bronze In Paralympic Games

Vancouver, BC--On the strength of near-perfect shooting and a gutsy skiing performance, Andy Soule of Pearland, Texas made history at Whistler Olympic Park over the past weekend by becoming the first U.S. athlete ever to win an Olympic or Paralympic medal in Biathlon.

Soule posted a 19 x 20 shooting performance on his way to winning the bronze medal at the Vancouver Paralympic games, now underway in Vancouver, BC.

In a second Biathlon on Wednesday, Soule was the only competitor to shoot a perfect 20 x 20. He missed the medal stand by just over a minute in that race, unable to overcome an extraordinary skiing performance by the Russian team which swept Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Following the Wednesday race, Soule said, "I'm happy with my shooting. I shot clean - 20 for 20 shots. I just didn't ski fast enough to make the top three. This field is incredible."

In sitting biathlon, skiers use a sit-ski, or a seat attached to a pair of skis, and they pole their way around the course, which Soule says is technically easier to learn than conventional cross-country skiing but takes more endurance.

Originally from Houston, TX, Soule was deployed in Afghanistan in 2005 when a roadside bomb exploded next to his Humvee. Both of his legs were amputated above the knee. He says the opportunity to compete in Paralympic Biathlon gives him something to strive for physically and provides a difficult goal on which to focus.

The Paralympics began after World War II as rehab for injured veterans. Soule is one of five disabled veterans on the 52-member American team.

Information on supporting the Paralympic Biathlon team is available from Max Cobb, Executive Director of the United States Biathlon Association, at maxkcobb@aol.com.