Dino Wallen
1983
Dino Wallen began his wheelchair athletic career as a basketball player in 1949. Two decades later, at the young age of 37, he expanded his athletic pursuits to include swimming, track and field, pentathlon, wheelchair rugby, and road racing—demonstrating remarkable range and endurance across multiple sports.
In swimming, Dino competed in the individual medley, freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke events. On the track, he raced in the 60-, 100-, 200-, 400-, and 800-meter events, while also contributing to the 4×100-meter and 4×200-meter relay teams, and competing in slalom races. In the field events, Dino participated in the shot put, discus, and javelin, and in the pentathlon, which combined the 100- and 800-meter track events with the shot put, discus, and javelin.
As a Class I-C athlete, Dino also competed in 21 marathons, winning 20 of them, and triumphed in all ten 10K races he entered.
Between 1974 and 1984, Dino achieved an outstanding record at the National Wheelchair Games, earning 30 gold, 18 silver, and 13 bronze medals—with 16 national records among his first-place finishes.
His international record was equally remarkable. As a member of Team USA, Dino competed in multiple global events, including the 1980 Paralympic Games in Arnhem, Netherlands, and the 1984 Paralympic Games in New York. Across his international career, he earned 13 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze medals, setting nine world records, one Paralympic record, and three Pan American records.
In addition to his individual success, Dino was a key member of the 1978 Team USA Wheelchair Basketball team, which captured the gold medal at the Pan American Games.
In recognition of his excellence and versatility, Dino received the Paralyzed Veterans of America Jack Gerhardt Athlete of the Year Award in 1982.
Dino Wallen was truly one of the most versatile and accomplished all-around wheelchair athletes of his time, leaving an enduring legacy of competitive spirit, determination, and excellence.