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Paul Nitz

Sport: Wheelchair Racing
Residence: Bloomfield, CT

In 2000, Paralympic track & field star, Paul Nitz achieved his dream and won his third consecutive Gold Medal in the 100-meter race at the Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In 1992, he won gold at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain and at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, GA he set a new World Record in the 100-meter race and won the Gold Medal.

"Sports have driven just about everything I've done," says Paul, who was born with a spinal cord injury, and grew up playing basketball, indoor hockey, football and track. Wanting a college experience that included sports as well as academics, he chose Southwest State University, in Minnesota, where he competed on their intercollegiate wheelchair basketball team. After graduation Paul joined The Hartford where he works as a Senior Underwriting Analyst.

Paul competed in his fourth Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece in 2004 but did not win any medals. Paul was on track to make the 2008 Paralympic Team but due to a medical condition, Paul unfortunately did not make the team. At the 2010 Track & Field National Championships, Paul won the Gold Medal in the 100m and took Bronze Medal in the 200m.

Career Highlights

  • 2011: Bronze Medal, 100m- IPC Athletics World Championships, Christchurch, NZ
  • 2010: Gold Medal, 100m; bronze medal, 200m – U.S National Championships, Miramar, Fl
  • 2004: Athens Paralympic Games
  • 2000: Gold Medal, 100m- Paralympic Games, Sydney Australia
  • 1996: Gold Medal, 100m- Paralympic Games, Atlanta, GA
  • 1992: Gold Medal, 100m- Paralympic Games, Barcelona, Spain

In 1992 Paul joined The Hartford as a full-time employee. Furthermore, Paul works closely with The Hartford, Founding Partner of U.S. Paralympics®, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, helping to positively change public attitudes and perceptions about disability.