Jeff Worthington (April 29, 1961 – June 1, 2023)[1] was an American paralympic athlete. He competed at the 1988 Summer Paralympics.[2][3]

Jeff Worthington
Personal information
Born(1961-04-29)April 29, 1961
Atlantic, Iowa, U.S.
DiedJune 1, 2023(2023-06-01) (aged 62)
Sport
Country United States
SportPara-athletics
Medal record
Representing  United States
Paralympic Games
Para-athletics
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Men's 400 m 1C
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Men's 800 m 1C
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Men's 1500 m 1C
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Men's 5000 m 1C
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Men's 4×100 m relay 1A–1C
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Men's 4×200 m relay 1A–1C

Biography

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Worthington was born in Atlantic, Iowa. He was studying at Creighton University when he was involved in a car accident leading to a spinal cord injury in 1981. He completed his rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Colorado. After his injury, he transferred to Arizona State where he got involved in wheelchair sports.[1] He later moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where he trained for the Paralympics.[4][5][6] He had met Paralympian athlete John Brewer in the 1980s and adopted Brewer’s pushing technique.[4]

Worthington competed at the 1988 Summer Paralympics, competing in athletics.[2] He won the gold medal in the men's 400m 1C event,[7] and also won gold in the men's 800m 1C event, with Brewer finishing second.[7] He also won individual gold medals in the men's 1500m 1C event.[7] and the men's 5000m 1C event,[7] and team golds in the men's 4×100m relay 1A–1C and the men's 4×200m relay 1A–1C.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Obituaries in Austin, TX | Austin American-Statesman". statesman.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  2. ^ a b "Jeff Worthington". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  3. ^ Bryant Treanor, Richard (1993). We Overcame: The Story of Civil Rights for Disabled People. Regal Direct Pub. p. 215. ISBN 9780963134523 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b "Brewer A Paralympic Favorite Looking Past Gold For World Record In Seoul Marathon". Deseret News. October 12, 1988. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  5. ^ "Koech's record win a real kick". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. May 2, 1988. p. 19. Retrieved August 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ "Wheelchair Olympics". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. June 15, 1988. p. 20. Retrieved August 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ a b c d e "Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games Results". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
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