Athletes from across the U.S. to compete in Grand Rapids July 11-17

Sports

Jul 10

The Hartford Nationals, conducted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sports championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or intellectual disability, will take place in Grand Rapids, July 11-17. A first for the city and only the second time in Michigan, the competition is hosted locally by the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) and Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports.

New to the competition lineup this year is boccia. Other contested sports include archery, para powerlifting, para-triathlon, shooting, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair and para-standing tennis.

Athletes competing will have qualified through one of more than 35 sanctioned competitions that took place across the country throughout the Move United member network, a national governing body, or High School Athletic Association sanctioned event. In 2024, 397 athletes with disabilities and over 150 coaches from 34 states and the District of Columbia participated, with those numbers expected to increase this year. Organizers estimate the event will generate an estimated economic impact of more than $2 million in direct visitor spending.

“This national competition has been a stepping stone for many athletes to progress and compete at an international level, including the Paralympic Games,” said Glenn Merry, CEO, Move United. “In fact, 62 percent of the athletes that represented Team USA at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris either competed at this event or participated in another Move United program or event.”

The local organizing committee is spearheaded by the WMSC, which competed through a nationwide bid process to host the event in 2025 and 2026, with support from Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. Local venues hosting competition events throughout the week include Calvin University’s Gainey Athletic Facility (track & field), Calvin University’s Venema Aquatic Center (swimming), Mary Free Bed YMCA (archery and para powerlifting), Millennium Park (para-triathlon), MSA Woodland (boccia, shooting, opening and closing ceremonies), and MVP Athletic Club (tennis).

“Our organization is no stranger to Olympic-style sporting events, regularly hosting the Meijer State Games of Michigan plus the USA Masters Games, State Games of America and Transplant Games of America in the past. We are thrilled to partner with Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports to now host this multi-sport event that allows hundreds of athletes with disabilities to compete on a national stage,” said Mike Guswiler, President, West Michigan Sports Commission.

In addition to the competitions taking place, clinics and educational sessions will include sports such as sitting volleyball, adaptive judo, para pickleball, wheelchair softball, and tennis. Paralympic Gold Medalist Daniel Romanchuk and Susannah Scaroni will also lead a track clinic and Tatyana McFadden, one of Team USA’s most decorated summer Paralympic athletes of all time, will participate in activities throughout the week. Other Paralympic athletes, such as Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Amanda McGrory, and Bobby Body will serve as announcers during the competition.

“We continue our mission to increase participation in adaptive sports by making competitions, local events, and equipment more accessible to youth and adult athletes,” said Claire Burns, Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, The Hartford. “Through our long-standing partnership with Move United, we are proud to help remove barriers, creating more opportunities for athletes of all abilities to experience the transformative power and sense of belonging that sport can bring.”

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