Gold medalist and Herndon High graduate Joshua George will be competing this week in the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. As a part of the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field team, George will be participating in the 400 meter, 800 meter, 1500 meter, and the marathon. Born and raised in Herndon, George graduated from HHS in 2002. He has competed in four separate Paralympic games, in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. George is a five-time Paralympic medalist, winning one gold, one silver, and three bronzes.
Joshua George at the 2012 London Paralympics, photo by Dennis Grombkowski
At the age of four, George survived a fall from a twelve-story window. The accident left him paralyzed from the mid-chest down; though his potential for greatness was unaffected. Once learning how to maneuver through the world in a wheelchair, George developed a strong interest in staying physically active. Throughout his childhood and into high school, George was a member of a wheelchair sports organization based in Baltimore, Maryland. There, he had the chance to participate in track and field, swimming, basketball, and an array of other sports and activities.
After graduating high school, George attended the University of Illinois, earning a degree in news editorial journalism. At the university, he met Adam Bleakney, who would go on to become George’s long-time personal coach. With Bleakney’s training, George would place first in three separate Chicago marathons, propelling him towards his first Paralympic games at Athens, Greece, in 2004. Photo by Mike Erhmann
Aside from being an Olympic champion, George has also made a name for himself over the years as a blogger for the New York Times, an advocate for positive change, and a coach.
Tune in this week to watch George soar to new heights at the 2021 Paralympic games, on NBC, NBCSN, and the Olympic Channel!
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