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Ruston, Ruston (KTVE/KARD) — The United States Blind Athletes Association (USABA) has named nine players to the 2024 U.S. Men’s Blind Soccer Team, including Cody Kirchner of Ruston, Louisiana. .
Photo provided
Kirchner, 34, fell in love with blind soccer the moment he stepped onto the pitch and realized he could run without being stopped or held back. Since that day, he has dreamed of being a member of the U.S. national team and competing for a Paralympic medal, and now that dream has come true.
Blind soccer has been part of the Paralympic Games since 2004, but until now the United States had no team. That will change when Los Angeles hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, with the United States automatically participating in the blind soccer competition as the host nation.
The first U.S. Blind Soccer National Team was selected in November 2022 and competed in two international friendlies against Canada in March 2023, winning by scores of 1-0 and 3-0.
Blind soccer is a fast-paced and exciting game played in over 60 countries. It is the fastest growing Paralympic sport in the world. Despite lacking vision, blind soccer players possess speed, strength, stamina, agility, and excellent spatial awareness.
To watch the events of this historic day, please visit the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkxBuueSmzA&t=9s.
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