Andy Soule
From U.S. Army to U.S. paralympian
"I thought it was a great opportunity to continue to do something extraordinary with my life."
Status
Andy Soule, an American Nordic Skier, a bronze medal holder, and a retired Army veteran, went from serving our country to "serving" or representing out country in the world paralympics. Soule attended Texas A&M University and while he was there he was a member of Corps of Cadets. By the end of the school year in 2001, he made a decision to give back to his country after the 9/11 attacks to enlist in the Army and by 2005 he was sent to Afghanistan. In that same year, he was struck by a mine and lost both his legs. While in rehabilitation, Soule took up hand cycling to stay active and soon took up skiing. He began to train all year round in Idaho and then took second place at the 2007 U.S. championships and then in 2008, Soule finished twelfth in the world cup standings. By 2010, he was representing the US in the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada. He competed in cross country skiing and the Biathlon. In the Biathlon, he was the first American to win a medal in the Olympics and Paralympics. Soule took home the bronze medal.
Patriotism
Values
Born in San Antonio, Texas United States of America, College Student in America, an Army veteran, and U.S. Paralympic shows that Andy Soule, himself, values America and Patriotism. Throughout his life, he has served his countries in two very different ways even an injury in battle did not stop him.
Sport
Soule, being part of the paralympics due to missing limbs, he uses a sit-ski. Soule is a nordic skier. The para-nordic games has sitting, standing and visually impaired classes.
Socialization
Soule was just out in battle after his vehicle he was in rolled over a mine field. One of his partners did not make it and two others were injured and Andy was out cold. He woke up and asked if they had had to amputate his legs. The answer was unfortunate. He did not let his injury get the best of him. He stayed active during his rehabilitation and started hand cycling and then turned to skiing and worked his way to the top by moving to Idaho and training year round.
Sochi
- Men's 7.5km - Sitting- Rank: 4
- Men's 15km, Sitting- Rank: 5
- Men's 12.5km - Sitting- Rank: 5
- Men's 1 km Sprint Qualification, Sitting- Rank: 11
- Men's 1 km Sprint Final, Sitting- Rank: 5
- Men's 15km - Sitting- Rank: 4
- Men's 10km, Sitting- Rank: 9
Social Interaction & Competition
Andy has been apart of the U.S.A. paralympic team since 2007. This past paralympics in Sochi, the Americans and Russians were in big competition. The Russians are usually dominant in the sit-ski competition, in which Soule participates in.
Symbols
Reflection
Andy Soule, from U.S. soldier to U.S. paralympian, there is not much you can't learn from him. From the moment he found out about September 11, 2001, after his school year was over he immediately enlisted in U.S. Army to serve his country. And once again, when tragedy struck, he did not back down, he decided to "serve" his country in a different way. While some may argue that athletes should not be looked at as heroes. The paralympics games should be much more focused on. These athletes are heroes. You can learn from them. You can learn that no matter what "excuse" you have, you can keep going. Soule is the perfect example, along with other paralympians who has also served are country. There should be no greater hero than one who can risk their life for you everyday and then prove to you that they can also still be an athlete and inspire people with a smile on their face.