We are in an important period for United States Paralympics with three consecutive Paralympic trial events in athletics, cycling and swimming set to see athletes nominated to Team USA for London 2012.

Trials and team selection events are often high pressured environments for athletes and their coaches, but they are also an exciting time as athletes who have focused for four, or perhaps even eight years - or more - achieve their dream of being nominated to a Paralympic team.

Team USA’s exciting stretch of trials kick off with swimming in Bismarck, North Dakota on June 14-16, followed by cycling in Augusta, Georgia on June 21-23 and concludes with track and field in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 29 to July 1.

In all, 34 athletes will earn nominations to the US swim team, 15 to cycling and 54 to track and field, comprising nearly half of the 2012 US Paralympic team that will compete in London in just a few short months.

Team USA is poised to have exceptional performances on the field of play in London and the trials and team selection are just the precursor to those. Athleticism, competitiveness, teamwork and strategy will all be strong factors in the competition at the trials and will characterise Team USA’s continued success in London and beyond.

Julie O’Neill is a team leader of sport performance at the United States Olympic Committee (USOC)