International athletes try adaptive sports at Park City's National Ability Center

PARK CITY — Athletes from around the world are in Utah for a unique sports exchange, trying adaptive sports while learning about accessibility and the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

The National Ability Center in Park City is hosting 15 international athletes as part of the two-week Sports Visitor Program, which runs through Sunday.

The program partners with the State Department and nonprofit FHI 360 to bring young athletes from different countries together through sports, with a focus on adaptive athletes.

"The main goal is to get youth from different countries who are really into sports. Specifically, we tried to find adaptive athletes," said Meghan Campano, the groups and military manager at the National Ability Center.

Participants are trying activities including challenge courses, horseback riding and equestrian assistance, while connecting with athletes from other countries.

"There's a lot of different nationalities: Egyptian, Bruneis, Americans, and I'm really glad to meet all of them because now we have (a) really good network and I hope that one day we can do something like a national championship," said Mariia Yevtushenko, a Ukrainian basketball player participating in the program.

Organizers say the experience helps participants learn new skills, explore accessibility in the United States and build relationships that can continue after they return home.

"Over the 41 years that we've been here, we found that adaptive sports isn't only just incredible while you're here and doing it, but it provides a way for people to connect and to learn new things and new ways to do things, and they get to take those home," Campano said.

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