World T.E.A.M. Sports 2016 Annual Review World T.E.A.M. Sports Annual Report 2016 | Page 4

MISSION STATEMENT
CHANGING
LIVES
THROUGH
SPORTS
4250 Veterans Memorial
Hwy, Ste. 420 E
Holbrook, NY 11741-4020
855.987.8326
The AXA World Ride beginning in March 1995 was
the first event from the new organization. In this
13,000-mile bicycle adventure through 16 countries
over nine months, World T.E.A.M. Sports showed
that by going “all in,” a core team of cyclists could
circumnavigate the planet.
Today, the same philosophy governs. Athletes
are challenged by the two days of cycling to historic
Gettysburg, by paddling the coastal waters along
Long Island’s southern shore, by competing on
mountain bikes and rafts in western Colorado’s
high desert and by solving challenges in New York’s
Catskill Mountains.
At every outdoor sporting event created and managed
by World T.E.A.M. Sports, bringing together athletes World T.E.A.M. Sports athletes overcome physical,
with and without disabilities is critical. emotional and technical challenges, improve their
physical fitness, gain confidence and create new
Creating inclusive, challenging events that friendships for more satisfying lives. By working
demonstrate the exceptional power of teamwork together in the spirit of friendship and cooperation,
in a variety of outdoor environments was the basic these athletes inspire not only themselves, but also
premise behind this organization’s 1993 founding. the public.
Following the successful 1987 Ride Across America
2
and 1990 Kilimanjaro Confidence Climb, founders Whether the athlete is an adaptive military veteran,
James Benson and Stephen Whisnant recognized a disabled youth or an able-bodied civilian, joining
that an ongoing non-profit organization could together doesn’t only change lives through sports—it
continue to create such inspiring events. brings together communities.
Visit us online at WorldTeamSports.org, or find us on social
media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and GooglePlus).