2011 Local Athlete Profile
Chris Fidler50 years old Chris Fidler is excited that this year’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be held in Pittsburgh. As a board member of the Keystone Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, he’s been helping to prepare for and promote the 2011 Games. He’s also a die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan and can’t wait to meet some of the Steelers and Penguins players that will be making guest appearances. Fidler has competed in every Wheelchair Games except for two in the last 10 years, winning at least two dozen medals. This year he will compete in the air rifle, shot-put, javelin, and discus events, as well as his favorite sport, archery. “You have to practice. It’s not something you can just pick up and do,” says Fidler. “Archery is a lot of hard work, but the challenge makes it interesting.” To prepare for the 2011 competition, he’s been practicing air rifle shooting in local events and training for the archery event in his yard. He shot his best archery score ever at last year’s Games, and is hoping to top that this year. Outside of the Games, Fidler regularly competes in air rifle competitions all over the country. In 2007, he placed 7th nationally in the National Rifle Association’s Beeman Grand Prix. This spring he claimed third and second place in the Buckeye National 600 shoot and the Hillside Rehab Hospital 600 shoot, respectively. “The competition is nice, but I like just being with other disabled Veterans and the camaraderie. You always make new friends, and you always get to meet your old friends from Games past. It almost seems like a family. It’s really nice to get together with people who have a common background like that. I also love visiting new places across America. It seems that the Games draws the most wonderful, patriotic people! That makes the whole week an awesome adventure!” Fidler said. |
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Reviewed/Updated Date: July 22, 2011