Athletes prepare for 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London

Athletes around the globe are preparing for the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London. The quadrennial Games, which begin Aug. 29, match the skills and talents of athletes in sports including archery, cycling, judo and volleyball.

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May 30, 2012

U.S. Army Sgt. Josh Olson practices at the indoor shooting range at Fort Benning, Ga. Olson was on a routine patrol in Tal Afar, Iraq, when a grenade that was lobbed at the Humvee he was riding in exploded. He lost his right leg in the attack and would end up spending 18 months at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

David Goldman / AP

May 30, 2012

While he was at Walter Reed, Olson took a trip to a shooting range and impressed Army officials with his marksmanship, becoming the first athlete with a physical disability to be nominated to the Army's world-class athlete program. Now, he is setting his sights on a gold medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

David Goldman / AP

Aug. 3, 2012

Brazilian Ronystony Cordeiro is helped by assistants to leave the pool after a training session at Banespa indoor swimming pool in Sao Paulo.

Nacho Doce / Reuters

Aug. 3, 2012

Cordeiro, who was involved in an accident while riding his bicycle in 2004, will swim at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Nacho Doce / Reuters

Aug. 3, 2012

Nacho Doce / Reuters

May 28, 2012

Palestinian Khamis Zaqout prepares for a shot put throw during a training session at Palestine Stadium in Gaza City. Zaqout lost the use of his legs while working on a building site in Israel two decades ago.

Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters

Aug. 8, 2012

Terezinha Guilhermina, a blind Paralympic athlete from Brazil, is guided by Guilherme Santana as they run during a training session at the Athletics Center in Sao Caetano do Sul, near Sao Paulo. Guilhermina is the world-record holder in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter sprints.

Nacho Doce / Reuters

July 27, 2012

Andy Avellana of the Philippines clears the line during a high-jump practice at the Ultra Sports Complex in Manila.

Noel Celis / AFP/Getty images

Jan. 26, 2012

Damian Lopez prepares to train at the Reinaldo Paseiro velodrome in Havana.

Franklin Reyes / AP

Jan. 26, 2012

Lopez adjusts his shoe before training in Havana. Lopez was injured as a teenager by a high-voltage electrical wire when untangling a kite. The accident cost him both his forearms, melted much of the skin from his face and left him in a coma from which doctors predicted he would never emerge.

Franklin Reyes / AP

Jan. 29, 2012

Lopez, 35, says the sport kept him from drowning in self-pity and despair.

Franklin Reyes / AP

July 6, 2012

Salvadorean Paralympic wheelchair racer Luis Morales trains at the Nacional Magico Gonzalez stadium in San Salvador.

Ulises Rodriguez / For Reuters

July 5, 2012

Morales shows his gloves after a training session.

Ulises Rodriguez / For Reuters

July 6, 2012

Morales trains at the Nacional Magico Gonzalez stadium in San Salvador.

Ulises Rodriguez / For Reuters

July 5, 2012

Morales sits behind his medals and trophies at his home in San Salvador. Morales will compete in the 100-meter road cycling event at the Summer Paralympics in London.

Ulises Rodriguez / For Reuters

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