Meet BP Team USA

Last fall, Matt Stutzman hit a target 230 yards away, breaking the world record for the longest accurate archery shot ever, by an astonishing 14 yards. That’s impressive in its own right. And it’s made even more impressive when you learn Matt doesn’t have arms.

Matt, dubbed the “Inspirational Archer,” was born without arms, and subsequently put up for adoption when he was just four months old. Raised in Iowa by his adoptive parents, Leon and Jean Stutzman, he was never treated differently from other kids in town -- “He fed the calves, went fishing with his dad and brothers, and played sports.”

London will be the third Paralympic Games for Rudy Garcia-Tolson, a two-time gold medalist in swimming, but his first with track and field events added to his schedule.

Garcia-Tolson, who won his first gold when he was just 16 years old, qualified for Team USA at both the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Trials and Swimming Trials. He’ll swim in the 200m IM and 100m Breaststroke, the latter of which he took home gold in Beijing. In his Paralympic track and field debut, he will be competing in the 200 meter race (T42 class; “Single above knee amputees and athletes with other impairments.”).

“Sports in my passon, paving access for others is my purpose.”

McFadden won four medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, including silver in the 200m, 400m and 800m. Not only will she be headed to London seeking her her first career gold, but she will be doing so alongside her sister. Hannah McFadden, Tatyana’s younger sister, is making her debut at the London Games, marking the first time sisters will have raced against each other for Team USA.

The 2012 Summer Olympics are nearly done, with the Closing Ceremony just days away. But London’s work hosting some of the world’s greatest athletes is far from over. The Paralympic Games is the next major international event to take center stage, from August 29 to September 9.

During those 12 days, Team USA will be represented by the best Paralympians from around the country. And while they will all have the encouragement and backing from friends, family and all of the United States, a lucky four will have the support of BP, which has partnered with Team USA through 2016 to help U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hopefuls reach their goals.

The 2012 Summer Olympics are nearly done, with the Closing Ceremony just days away. But London’s work hosting some of the world’s greatest athletes is far from over. The Paralympic Games are the next major international to take center stage, from August 29-September 9.

During those 12 days, Team USA will be represented by the best Paralympians from around the country. And while they will all have the encouragement and backing from friends, family and all of the United States, a lucky four will have the support of BP, which has partnered with Team USA through 2016 to help U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hopefuls reach their goals.

After Day 11 at the 2012 Summer Olympics, we pause to take a look at the medal count in London. With yet another dominating performance in the pool, Team USA finds itself with 70 total medals,second only to China’s 73. The Chinese also have a slight lead on the Americans in the number of golds won, 34-30, but that is likely to change as track and field continues through the final weekend of competition.

Looking back on the first 11 days of competition also allows us to check in with BP Team USA, a group of nine U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

From Jamaica to Florida to Texas, to Olympic gold medalist. The winding career and life of Sanya Richards-Ross reaches another chapter in London with the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Born in Kingston, Richards-Ross moved to Florida in 1997 and became a U.S. citizen in 2002, the same year she was named the National High School Female Athlete of the Year and USA Track and Field’s Youth Athlete of the Year. Just a short two years later, she was finding success at the highest level.

Over the next six weeks, the best athletes from around the world will descend upon London, England, for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Team USA will be represented by the best Olympians and Paralympians from all around the country.

And while they will all have the encouragement and backing from friends, family and all of the United States, a lucky nine will have the support of BP, which has partnered with Team USA through 2016 to help U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hopefuls reach their goals.