Jim Martinson

In 1968, Jim Martinson was serving in Vietnam when he tripped an explosive device and lost both legs. He decided to become involved in wheelchair sports and eventually competed at the Paralympic Games in track, basketball, and skiing. Martinson won the 1981 Boston Marathon.

Martinson is often considered the Godfather of disabled sport for his development of better wheelchairs and mono-skis, allowing more people to compete. He formed his own company, Magic in Motion, that helped the disabled become more independent, in addition to competing in sports. He sold the company in 1992 but still ran it through 2000. Martinson was inducted into the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.