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SOCHI, Russia – Retired Army Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun of Clarksville will represent Team USA as an alpine skier in the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia.
Calhoun was seriously injured when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his Humvee during the war in Iraq while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in 2003. He lost both of his legs as a result of his injuries, and received a Purple Heart for his service.
He entered a Sports Rehabilitation program while at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. While learning to walk on prosthetics, he was introduced to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which provides support for wounded service members.
Through WWP, Calhoun began to try adaptive skiing five months after his injury. He continued his training for various competitions, and entered the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada.
Calhoun continues to be a spokesperson for WWP, and is a counselor for the Amputee Coalition of America. In 2007, WWP awarded him the George C. Lang Award for Courage in honor of his achievements.
NBCSN will present several hours of alpine skiing coverage beginning March 8 at midnight CST. Live coverage continues March 10 at 1 a.m. EST and March 16 at 3:30 a.m. CST.