This post was created in partnership with Citi®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Although the 2014 Olympics have come to an end, the Paralympics are just getting started. From March 7-16, 2014, you can watch inspiring athletes compete AND you can join in Citi®’s Every Step of the Way campaign, which is still going strong. Citi® has teamed up with Team USA athletes who have each selected a charity. Citi® wants to know from YOU where they should send their $500,000 donation.
One of Citi®’s Team USA athletes is alpine skier Alana Nichols. Alana is partnering with The Team USA Paralympic Champions Fund to increase financial support for athletes pursuing the dream of participating in the Paralympics. Listen to Alana as she describes her fight to overcome adversity and how she would love to give more athletes the opportunity to compete in future Paralympic games.
About Alana: Alana Nichols grew up in New Mexico and loved spending her winters snow boarding in Colorado. In 2000, while on a snowboarding trip, she had an accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Just 2 years after her accident, she was introduced to wheelchair basketball, which she not only enjoyed but excelled at. Just two year later, at the 2004 Athens Paralympics, she was an alternate for the Team USA women’s wheelchair basketball team. She returned in 2008 to the Beijing Games, where she helped the team win a gold medal.
Just a month after the Beijing games, Alana began training in alpine skiing. In the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver BC, she won two gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze medal.
I am amazed and inspired by what she has been able to accomplish – not only in the face of so much adversity, but in so little time.
Who are the athletes that have inspired you most during this year’s Olympics or Paralympics?
Check out this welcome video featuring all of the Citi® athletes:
Win a $25 Visa Giftcard
Share which Citi® athlete or community program inspires you the most in the comments below and visit the Every Step of the Way site to vote…and then enter to win a 425 Visa giftcard right here! This giveaway will run through 3/19/2014 at midnight, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!
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Roxann says
Julie Chu inspired me the most.
Jaime Cummings says
I voted for Ted Ligety.
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway… Operation Comfort, and Rico Roman’s inspiring recovery from a war injury.
Tammy OHagan says
Picabo Street
MARIA simon says
rico roman…helping these people is truly inspirational to all well it should be..what a blessing they are thanks for offering giveaway
Rebecca L says
Ted Ligety inspires me. To be able to come back was amazing.
Mya Murphy says
Alana Nichols helping the physically disabled. As someone who’s disabled, I really look up to her.
Breanne says
Operation Comfort
Jonathan Brigden says
Dan Janson’s story was very sad, but a really strong guy. Support what he’s doing.
susan smoaks says
i am truly inspired by Alana Nichols helping the physically disabled. my brother is disabled and this is a good thing she is doing.
Francine Anchondo says
Rico Roman and Operation Comfort.
Janice Crespo says
Ted Ligety has an inspiring story. Another snowboarder, Dan Monzo, a friend of my daughters. I remember so vividly the day he had his dirt bike accident and laying on the side of the road waiting for his parents and the ambulance – and he placed 18th in the snowboarding – very impressive guy!
Rebecca Lock says
Ted Ligety is inspiring.
Karrie Millheim says
I voted for Alana Nichols.
Peggy Rydzewski says
Julie Chu story is a great one and she is a great hockey player.
Ellie W says
Alana Nichols helping the physically disabled is most inspiring to me.
Theresa D says
I like Rico Roman and Operation Comfort.
Erica C. says
Julie Chu was my pick.
Daniel M says
inspired by Rico Roman supporting veterans
Melanie Montgomery says
Julie Chu inspires me.
Susan Smith says
I m inspired by Rico Roman and his support of our veterans
Mihaela Day says
I like Rico Roman’s focus :)
tina reynolds says
I cast my vote for dan jansen
Christie Kammerer says
Rico Roman was the one for me.
Denise S says
I voted for Alana Nichols.
Kathleen says
I am inspired by Rico Roman and his support of our veterans
kport207 at gmail dot com
Nancy says
I voted for Ted Ligety.
Kyl Neusch says
Rico Roman
Jennifer R says
I was moved by Dan Jansen’s story of triumph after defeat in his Olympic quest.
Tamar says
It looks like everyone I want to choose is already at their goal…
Tamar says
I like Rico Roman’s focus as I think it reaches more americans than all the other programs combined.
shelly peterson says
They are all so wonderful, I voted for Alana Nichols.
Geoff K says
I’m most inspired by Rico Roman and his work with Operation Comfort for veterans!
Sarah L says
Picabo is inspiring (they all really are)
Thanks for the contest.
Kim says
I am inspired by Rico Roman and his support of our veterans!
janna johnson says
Rico Roman for me
Lisa Brown says
i voted for dan jansen
Brittney House says
I voted for Billy DeMong.
Stephanie Galbraith says
I like Julie Chu and how she is supporting the kids being able to play hockey for free.
Susan Christy says
11,000 Hours of rehab for Picabo Street after her injury, then went on to medal in the Olympics. Very inspiring!!!
Tara says
Dan Jansen inspires me!
Tabathia B says
Ted Ligety for his youth enrichment services
Barbara Montag says
Thanks I just voted.
Mary Cloud says
I voted for Rico Roman and his veteran support campaign
annabella @ centurytel dot net
Lolli says
Barbara, If you’re on the Every Step of the Way site, just click on your selected athlete and once their page loads, scroll down a tiny bit and there will be an orange button at the bottom of their page that says, “Award $5 of Citi’s donation to…” Hope that helps!
Deborah Wellenstein says
I voted for Billy DeMong.
Barbara Montag says
I like Evan Lysacek – he’s a figure skater.
but I didn’t see where to vote.
thank you
Cynthia C says
I’m inspired by Dan Jansen for helping Olympians in need.
rich morris says
I voted for Picabo Street.
Adrienne Gordon says
I like Ted Ligety
Margaret Smith says
I voted for Rico Roman. I like that he supports our Veterans
Bert says
Julie Chu has my vote
stephanie says
I voted for Julie Chu
Wild Orchid says
I voted for Ted Ligety
Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Starla B says
Rico Roman because he supports giving back to our countrys veterans!
meredith says
Julie chu got my vote
stacey b says
I voted for Julie chu
Thomas Murphy says
I voted for Ted Ligety
Amanda Sakovitz says
I voted for Ted Ligety!
Elena says
I voted for Julie Chu
Nannypanpan says
Spell check ligerty
Nannypanpan says
I like ted liberty and youth enrichment sports
Mary Happymommy says
My vote went to Julie Chu.
Jessie C. says
I voted and support Billy & team for tomorrow.
latanya says
I voted for Julie Chu
Rosie says
I voted for Evan Lysacek for figure skating in Harlem for underprivileged girls!