“World’s Fastest Amputee” competing in 100 and 200 meter sprints; Won gold medal in 100 meters at 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Aug. 28, 2012) – Paralympic Champion April Holmes is going for gold at the 2012 Paralympic Games, held in London through Sept. 9. Holmes, who trains at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, will be competing for two medals at this year’s games.

She is the reigning Paralympics world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 meter sprints, and will be competing in the 100 and 200 meter sprints in London. Holmes is the overwhelming favorite to win multiple gold medals at this year’s games following her gold-medal finish in the 100 meters at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

The Paralympian trains with legendary track coach Brooks Johnson at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort. Johnson is a former U.S. Olympic track head coach and trained an athlete at every Olympic Games from 1968 to 2008. Holmes also trains alongside Olympic-caliber track athletes such as 2008 Olympic silver medalist David Payne.

Holmes lost her left leg in a train accident and has since become one of the world’s foremost Paralympic athletes, nicknamed the “World’s Fastest Amputee.” She was the first female athlete and first track athlete to be signed by the Michael Jordan apparel brand.

Off the track, Holmes impacts lives around the nation through her April Holmes Foundation, a non-profit agency providing scholarships and medical equipment for people with physical and learning disabilities.

Holmes’ race times are below:

For a complete schedule of the events, visit london2012.com. The International Paralympic Committee will broadcast more than 580 hours of uninterrupted live coverage from London 2012 on Paralympic.org during the competition. Daily video content will also be available on the US Paralympics YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/usparalympics.