5-Time Paralympian Joshua George Competes At Tokyo Games

HERNDON, VA — Joshua George, a 37-year-old graduate of Herndon High School, will be competing as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Team.

George will be competing in four track and field events over the next two weeks at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games — the 400 meter, 800-meter, 1,500-meter and the marathon. In his four previous Paralympics appearances, he's won 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals, according to the Team USA website.

George fell from a 12-story bedroom window when he was 4, which left him paralyzed from the mid-chest down. This did not deter him from having an active life.

As part of a wheelchair sports organization in Baltimore, George played basketball and table tennis, and competed in track and field and swimming.

After graduating from Herndon High School in 2002, George went on to the University of Illinois, where he earned a degree in news editorial journalism.

It was in college that George first focused on wheelchair racing, which led to him winning two bronze medals at the Athens Paralympic Gams in 2004.

George currently lives and trains in Champaign, Illinois, and also works for IntelliWheels Inc.

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games run from Aug. 24-Sept. 5.