U.S. Paralympic Champions Bring Wheelchair Basketball Initiative to Armenia

Paralympic athletes from the United States joined young people in Armenia for a wheelchair basketball masterclass to help  promote inclusion, accessibility, and the power of sport.

Paralympic medalist Rose Hollermann and three-time Paralympic gold medalist Steve Serio visited Armenia through the U.S. State Department’s Sports Envoy Program, organized with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia. The initiative was implemented in partnership with the Armenian Wheelchair Basketball Federation, the Yerevan Municipality, Ayb School, and other local organizations.

The program, held as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, included training sessions with Armenian athletes and an exhibition game featuring the visiting champions.

Speaking to reporters, Hollermann said the initiative seeks to build international connections while challenging perceptions about disability.

“The goal of the Sports Envoy Program is to build connections and raise awareness about accessibility in sports,” she said. “People often think that having a disability means the end of life as they know it, but it simply means adapting life differently. We are working to make the world more accessible for everyone.”

Local officials said the event reflects ongoing efforts to expand opportunities for people with disabilities in Armenia. Arsen Makvetsyan, head of Yerevan Municipality’s Sports and Youth Affairs Department, noted that the city continues to support inclusive sporting initiatives and hopes to broaden their reach in the future.

The program also extended beyond the capital, with a similar wheelchair basketball event held in Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri, highlighting growing efforts to promote adaptive sports across the country.

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