Athletes
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Athletes at upcoming toyota sports festivals
Toyota is honored to support 27 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and 18 U.S. National Governing Bodies and High Performance Management Organizations on their journeys to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and beyond.
At each Toyota Sports Fest, several Team Toyota Olympic and Paralympic athletes will be on site to lead clinics, meet fans, answer questions and sign autographs.
New york city athlete appearances
New York Auto Show
Nathan Chen
SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, APRIL 15:
11AM – Q&A AND AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
After watching the 2002 Winter Olympics held in his hometown of Salt Lake City, Nathan began figure skating at the practice arena that was built near his home. And while he had some success in his youth, it wasn’t until about five years ago that he was able to produce the technical skills to be truly competitive. His Olympic debut came in 2018 in PyeongChang, where he placed bronze in the team figure skating event. Now, he hopes to have an even more satisfying Olympic experience in Beijing.
Many things motivate Nathan in life, but the most integral ones are his parents, who immigrated from China and did everything and more to provide for him and his four older siblings. He knows that without their help and guidance, he would have never made it this far. He also sees competitions as great motivators. To him, they give an opportunity to show the work he’s put in over the years. And while he’s determined to show what he can do on the ice, he also wants to make a difference off of it.
New York Auto Show
Steve Serio
SCHEDULE – Saturday, April 15:
1PM – Q&A AND AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
2PM – 3PM – demo on the sport court with the New York Rollin’ Knicks
Steve was paralyzed and classified with incomplete paraplegia after spinal surgery when he was 11 months old. Although he grew up with an impairment, sports were still a way Steve could interact with his able-bodied friends. Searching for an athletic outlet in high school, he signed up for wheelchair basketball and fell in love with the sport.
While playing for the University of Illinois in college, Steve knew wheelchair basketball was something he wanted to do full time. He knew he owed it to himself, his friends and family to push his limits on and off the court. Steve has seen success all around the world, played professionally in Germany and competed in three Paralympic Games. His larger goal is to grow the adaptive sports movement, so that each and every person with an impairment feels empowered to demand more from this life.
New York Auto Show
Jarryd Wallace
SCHEDULE – Sunday, April 16:
11AM – Q&A and autograph signing
Jarryd’s pursuit of world-class athletics took a detour at age 18 when he was diagnosed with compartment syndrome. In what should have been his first year as a Division I athlete, Jarryd faced the stark reality of needing to have his own leg amputated.
Since his amputation, Jarryd has competed in two Paralympic Games, set four world records and become the nation’s fastest amputee. In fact, his speed surpasses that of many professional football running backs. While most people saw tragedy, Jarryd came to understand his circumstances in different terms. Jarryd views life as a process of discovering one’s own potential. And this potential is not defined by stop watches, gold medals or financial windfalls. At the end of the day, Jarryd hopes to look back and feel that he’s given it his all.