Dan Jordan Paralympics Results Wrap-Up From USOC

[JPOC]

PARALYMPIC GAMES SHOOTING: Jordan Gains Silver Medal and Valuable Experience

by Diana Kersbergen - U.S. Olympic Committee (Greece: 693-678-6383; U.S.: 719-866-4529)


Dan Jordan Gains Silver Medal and Valuable Experience at 2004 Paralympic Games

ATHENS, Greece (Sept. 28, 2004) – Dan Jordan (Franktown, Colo.), the lone athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Shooting roster, had no trouble finding success at the 2004 Paralympic Games. Competing in three events: 10m Air Rifle, Three-Position Rifle and 50m Rifle Prone, Jordan advanced to the final rounds in each. The first-time Paralympian, and at 25-years of age, the youngest shooter in each of the finals he competed in, Jordan battled with some of the sport’s most experienced and legendary athletes.

Highlighting his week of competition in Athens was clinching a silver medal in the 3-Position Rifle event. Jordan, who held the 3-P world record until Jonas Jacobsson of Sweden bettered it en route to the 2004 gold, shot a total score of 1,253.5 for second place. Jordan’s medal is monumental for USA Shooting, as it ends the sport’s 20-year Paralympic Games medal drought.

Jordan opened his Paralympic Games experience with the 10m Air Rifle. Qualifying into the finals with a score of 587, Jordan shot 101.5 in the finals for a total of 688.5 and an eighth-place finish.

The last competition for Jordan was the 50m Rifle Prone. In the event which he considers to be his ‘biggest project,’ Jordan worked his way to the finals with a 586, qualifying eighth. In the finals he shot a solid round of scores, which totaled 103.5 and moved him up one place to finish seventh overall with a final tally of 689.5.

Jordan walks away from the Athens Games with more than just experience. He proved to the world that he is one of the sports most promising up-and-comers and will be one to watch in the years to come. He went head-to-head with the greatest Paralympic shooters in the world and contended with them in each event in which he competed. He won a silver medal and broke a 20-year dry spell. Shooting hundreds of shots and under pressure that’s unlike anything he’s felt before, Jordan kept his cool and patiently worked his way to a trio of top-eight finishes.

As the 2004 Paralympic Games come to a close, Dan Jordan’s window of opportunity opens. Great achievements were made in Athens, but they are only a stepping stone to the successes that await the young and talented athlete.

2004 Paralympic Games Shooting Results (qualifying/finals/total):
Sept. 19: 10m Air Rifle, Dan Jordan: 8th place (587/101.5/688.5)
Sept. 21: Three-Position Rifle, Dan Jordan: 2nd place (1157/96.5/1253.5) *Silver Medal
Sept. 23: 50m Rifle Prone, Dan Jordan, 7th place (586/103.5/689.5)

For more information on the 2004 Paralympic Shooting team, please contact Diana Kersbergen at (011 30) 693-678-6383. For the latest news and results from the 2004 Paralympic Games, log onto www.usocpressbox.org.


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It is interesting to note the use of the figure of speech "...walks away..." in the context of an athlete who moves about in a wheel chair. Those who know Dan, however, know that in his mind he is not in a wheel chair at all... only his body is. He can move around some of the roughest backwoods terrain in his chair easier than most folks can on two feet! His youth, vitality, and outlook on life - and on shooting - are an inspiration to all who know him. He truly understands our sport as very, very few do.

Congratulations Dan!!!

[Moe Draznin]

Dan I Second JP's sentiments.....
Congratulations.... Oren and I were watching the results as they were published and are delighted in your success!!!

Its awsome to watch you moving around and getting done more on a wheel-chair then most can, using both of their legs. A true Olympian!!!! The example you set is a true inspiration.

keep up the good work!

Moe & Oren