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Snowboarder Mike Schultz named U.S. flag bearer for Paralympics opening ceremony

After he had his left leg amputated above the knee, Mike Schultz created his own prosthetic knee using a mountain bike shock and other equipment he had in his garage.
Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Mike Schultz competes in the adaptive banked slalom final during Day 3 of the Dew Tour on December 15, 2017 in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Snowboarder Mike Schultz, who has designed adaptive sports prosthetics that some of his teammates will be wearing in competition, has been named the U.S. flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Paralympics.

He was selected in a vote by U.S. athletes, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Wednesday. Schultz will the lead the 74-member delegation in Friday's opening ceremony, which will be shown on NBC Sports Network at 6 a.m.

In 2008 Schultz suffered injuries in a snocross race that resulted in having his left leg amputated above the knee when the snowmobile he was riding landed on his leg. After the accident, he created his own prosthetic knee using a mountain bike shock and other equipment he had in his garage. Seven months after his accident, he went on to win a silver medal on his dirt bike in the adaptive Super-X competition at the Summer X Games.

Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Mike Schultz competes in the adaptive banked slalom final during Day 3 of the Dew Tour on December 15, 2017 in Breckenridge, Colorado.

After seeing a need for better adaptive sports prosthetics, Schultz founded his company BioDapt Inc. in July 2010.

The 36-year-old from St. Cloud, Minn., will make his Paralympic debut after learning to snowboard in 2011. Athletes on the U.S. snowboard team in the LL-1 and LL-2 classes wear the prosthetic knee and foot designed by Schultz's company.

For full clip, go to Monster Mike Schultz FB page! Today marks 100 days out from the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Games. With an amazing, supportive team around me, hard work and dedication, I am a few steps closer to Pyeongchang with a recent gold and a silver from the World Cup snowboard events in The Netherlands. This weekend, I have two more World Cups in Finland where I will try to lock in my spot for Korea. On this day as we countdown 100 days until the Paralympics in Korea, I am excited to launch and share with you this video of my journey - one that, at times, seemed impossible but is unfolding into a dream of mine. #100days Video Credit: @nostyleprod

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Schultz enters the Paralympics as one of the top snowboarders in the world having won a silver medal in banked slalom at the 2017 world championships.

At the final World Cup in February at Big White in British Columbia, Schultz wrapped up season titles in snowboard-cross and banked slalom.

“To me, there’s two symbols for Team USA: the national anthem and the American flag," Schultz said in a statement. "To be on the world stage carrying our flag and representing the U.S. Paralympic Team is a huge honor. I’ll be trying my hardest to hold back the tears during the opening ceremony.”

The Paralympic snowboard competition begins Monday with men's and women's snowboard-cross. The banked slalom event, new to this year's Paralympics, will be held March 16.

So Thankful that I have such an amazing family to share my adventures with... My #1 Fans! #ad #getsmestarted #teamkelloggs #teamusa

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