MINNESOTA, USA — Minnesota native, Mike Schultz is suiting up for the Paralympic Games in Paris. He's not competing but cheering on his friends with Team USA. The Winter Paralympian is slated to travel to France to help promote the games.
Following one of the most watched Olympic Games yet, the Paralympics have the momentum to also break viewing records.
"Since I became part of the program in 2014 to where we are now, it's leaps and bounds from where it was," Schultz said.
He won a gold and a silver medal in his Paralympic debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, then a silver medal in 2022 Bejing. The snowboarder competes in snowboard cross and banked Slalom.
He got into snowboarding after building prosthetics for some athletes. His company, Biodapt, makes legs, and feet for amputees, including his Paralympic competitors. This summer, several of his designs will be featured with athletes.
"I can't wait to be there. We have several friends competing in different sports, and we will be cheering them on. It's going to be awesome," Schultz said.
The Paralympic Games run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 in Paris and will feature more than 4,000 exceptional athletes competing in various sports from para-swimming to blind football and wheelchair basketball.
At least 10 Minnesotans will be competing in the Paralympics. Click here to read about them.