The United States Olympic Committee celebrates the outstanding achievements of Team USA athletes through the Team USA Awards presented by Dow, Best of the Games. The USOC announced today the five nominees in the female, male and team Paralympic Games categories. Check out the list below to vote for your favorite performances from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
To cast your vote for the Best of The Games honors for Team USA Awards presented by Dow, visit TeamUSA.org/Awards. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 23.
Female Athlete of the Paralympic Games, presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods:Tatyana McFadden (track and field)
Tatyana McFadden won a medal in all six of the individual events she entered, winning four gold and two silver medals. McFadden won gold in the 400-, 800-, 1,500- and 5,000-meter and silver in the 100 and marathon. Click here to vote for McFadden.
Becca Meyers (swimming)
Becca Meyers won three gold medals and one silver, while setting three world records in her second Paralympic Games. Meyers won the S13 400-meter freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley, while taking second in the 100 freestyle. Click here to vote for Meyers.
Shawn Morelli (cycling)
Shawn Morelli won two gold medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She won her first gold in track cycling in the women's C4 3000-meter individual pursuit and her second gold in the women’s C4 road time trial. Click here to vote for Morelli.
Becca Murray (wheelchair basketball)
Three-time U.S. Paralympian Becca Murray propelled the U.S. women to gold as she led scoring in Rio with 169 points and averaged 24.1 points per game. She also finished fourth in assists and was the offensive leader in the gold-medal game. Click here to vote for Murray.
Grace Norman (paratriathlon)
Grace Norman became the first woman to win paratriathlon gold as the sport made its Paralympic debut in Rio. Norman won by more than a minute over her closest competitor in the women's PT2 event. Less than 36 hours after her paratriathlon win, Norman also won bronze on the track in the women's T44 400-meter. Click here to vote for Norman.
Male Athlete of the Paralympic Games, presented by The Hartford:
Will Groulx (cycling)
Will Groulx medaled in every event he entered in Rio as he won gold in the men's H2 road race, silver in the H2 time trial and silver in the mixed team relay H2-5. Groulx is now a two-sport Paralympic champion after previously winning gold in wheelchair rugby. Click here to vote for Groulx.
Steve Serio (wheelchair basketball)
Co-captain Steve Serio commanded the U.S. men’s team to a gold medal over eight games. In the final three games, Serio scored 42 points, snagging 23 rebounds, and dishing out 30 assists. Click here to vote for Serio.
Andre Shelby (archery)
Andre Shelby shocked the archery world at his first Paralympic Games by wining gold in the men's W2 individual compound from a 12th place seed. Shelby began competing in archery less than three years ago. Click here to vote for Shelby.
Brad Snyder (swimming)
Two-time Paralympian Brad Snyder took home three gold medals and tied for silver, giving him a total of four medals. He defended his Paralympic titles in the 400- and 100-meter freestyle events, while breaking a 30-year-old world record in the 100 freestyle. Click here to vote for Snyder.
Roderick Townsend (track and field)
First-time Paralympian Roderick Townsend won two gold medals in the T47 long jump and high jump — where he cleared every advance of the bar on his first attempt. He also set Paralympic records in both events. Click here to vote for Townsend.
Team of the Paralympic Games, presented by Dow:
Men's Goalball
The U.S. Men's Goalball team came back from not qualifying for the Paralympic Games four years ago to finish with their first silver medal since 2004. The men beat the host nation with a dominant 10-1 victory in the semifinal round. Click here to vote for men's goalball.
Women's Sitting Volleyball
The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team made history by winning its first Paralympic gold medal against China. The U.S. finished the Paralympics 4-1 and outscored opponents 407-225 for the entire tournament, winning sets by an average of 11.07 points. Click here to vote for women's sitting volleyball.
Men's Wheelchair Basketball
The U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team returned to the top of the podium to win its first gold since Seoul 1988. The team defeated Spain 68-52 to win gold and maintain its undefeated streak since 2014. Click here to vote for men's wheelchair basketball.
Women's Wheelchair Basketball
The U.S. Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team defeated the defending Paralympic champions from Germany 62-45 to win gold. The team was undefeated in Rio, leading the way with a 53.8 shooting percentage and the fewest turnovers per game. Click here to vote for women's wheelchair basketball.
Wheelchair Rugby
The U.S. wheelchair rugby team took the reigning Paralympic champion Australia to double overtime in the finals to bring home the silver from Rio. The team continued their podium streak since the sport was added to the Paralympic Games in 2000. Click here to vote for wheelchair rugby.
In addition to Dow, the presenting sponsor, the Team USA Awards are supported by Coca-Cola, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Kellogg’s, Samsung and USG.
