Scott Danberg selected as U.S. flag bearer for the London 2012 Paralympic Games
Pritikin Longevity Center Fitness Director and five-time U.S. Paralympian Scott Danberg was selected to lead the 227-member 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team into the Opening Ceremony on August 29, 2012.
Scott was chosen by a vote of fellow members of Team USA following the team’s "Welcome Ceremony" on August 27 in the Paralympic Village in London.
Scott Danberg, Pritikin Director of Fitness
Paralympic Experience:
- 2012 Paralympic Games - 7th Place (Discus)
- 2008 Paralympic Games (Shot Put)
- 2004 Paralympic Games - 5th Place (Shot Put)
- 1998 Paralympic Games - Silver (Javelin)
- 1992 Paralympic Games - 5th Place (Powerlifting)
Athletic Career Highlights:
- 2011 IPC World Championships – Bronze (Discus)
- 2010 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships – Gold (Discus, Shot Put)
- 2008 Paralympic Games Competitor
- 2007 Parapan American Games – Gold (Shot Put)
- 2007 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships - Silver (Shot Put)
- 2006 IPC World Championships – Silver (Shot Put)
- 2006 IPC World Championships- Fourth (Javelin)
- 2004 Paralympic Games Competitor
- 1998 Paralympic Games – Silver (Javelin)
- 1992 Paralympic Games Competitor (Powerlifting)
"I am absolutely honored and pleased. This is my fifth Paralympic Games," Scott Danberg, age 50, said. "For four Games, I have walked behind our nation’s flag proudly and now I am so honored to carry it into the stadium. I was so pleased to be nominated by the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team. The confidence my team captain had and his approach, they all really wanted me to be selected, and now to have that confidence shown to me by the whole U.S. team is amazing."
Gold, Silver, Bronze Medalist
On Sept. 4, Scott competed in the F40 men’s discus and came in 7th -- "a season best," says Scott. "And what an experience! Throwing in the Olympic Stadium with 80,000+ screaming fans. It was a night to remember!"
Scott won the bronze medal in the discus competition at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships. He also won the shot put silver at the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships and won the shot put gold at the 2007 Parapan American Games.
"Congratulations to Scott Danberg on being named the United States flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "The London 2012 Paralympic Games have special significance as the Paralympic Movement started here in 1948. As the Games return to its birth place, we celebrate the growth of the movement and the extraordinary Americans who represent our country in this event. It is a tremendous honor to have Scott lead Team USA into this celebration of humanity."
Danberg made his Paralympic Games debut in powerlifting at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games. In 1998, he won the silver medal in the javelin. He competed in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games as well as the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The 2012 Paralympic Games is taking place in London, England, from Aug. 29-Sept. 9, featuring more than 4,000 athletes with a disability, from more than 160 countries. It is slated to be the largest Paralympic Games in history.
Cheers From Pritikin
Cheering Scott back in Florida are his many friends, both fellow staff and guests, from the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami. Scott has been on the faculty at Pritikin for 12 years, and brings to his work the same dedication and enthusiasm that made him an Olympic stand-out.
"I thoroughly enjoy the many guests I get to coach one-on-one at Pritikin," affirms Scott. "It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch their transformation, and to know that every day I play a role in leading people back to health and vitality."
Ever-modest, Scott is quick to point out that "I’m just one of about 30 health professionals who serve our guests at Pritikin every day – and their commitment is always an inspiration to me. I am honored to be a part of the Pritikin team."
Olympic Spirit
It is an amazing team of medical and health professionals at Pritikin, full of their own Olympic-sized spirit. It includes individuals like endocrinologist Yanelis Martin, MD, who helps guests with diabetes achieve results they never thought possible; cardiologist Ronald Scheib, MD, who brings to Pritikin more than 40 years of illustrious service at leading heart-health institutions like the Miami Heart Institute; Danine Fruge, MD, who has inspired thousands over her past 10 years at Pritikin to discover "just how good healthy living can make you feel!"; personal trainer Frank Musumeci, an expert at helping people get past pain so that they can start exercising again; registered dietitian Gayl Canfield, PhD, who has simple, deliciously healthy solutions for virtually every nutritional hurdle; exercise trainers like Pedro Alipenalver, a master at activating guests’ motivational engines; and dozens more.
The Games will conclude in London in September, "but the Olympic spirit lives on at Pritikin," smiles Scott. "I’m looking forward to re-joining my Pritikin team when I return home."
