"Earning another double podium for Team USA was newcomer Tahmar Upshaw (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) and Paralympian Rayven Sample (Jamestown, New York), who were neck-and-neck in the men’s 400-meter T47 en route to silver and bronze. After Sample established an early lead, Upshaw was able to inch ahead of his teammate in the final meters, edging him by .01 seconds. It is Upshaw’s international debut and first time representing Team USA. He is brand new to Para sport after his collegiate track coach at Cumberland University introduced him to adaptive athletics. “This is my first Games, and I was nervous before,” Upshaw said. “I’m normally an 800-meter runner, so there was some anxiety heading into this race. I was able to bring it home and catch up to Rayven.” Sample was the only T45 athlete racing against T46 and T47 classes. “Coming off a bad year last year, I do feel like [I’m] back,” Sample said. “I am just super excited to get any time here and medal here. We have the whole indoor season and whole outdoor season coming up.” Both Upshaw and Sample run at the NCAA level – Sample is a member of the varsity track and field team at Bucknell University – and after their race, spoke about the importance of Para representation in college sports. “It’s an awesome experience,” Upshaw said. “I’m hoping I can spread the word and let other people know this is out here. You also have the same opportunity to run at university. Your disability does not stop you from doing what you want to do.”"