When a knee injury threatened that dream earlier this year, the high jumper turned to Cedars-Sinai, where sports medicine specialists repaired damaged cartilage and helped put him back on the path toward competition.

Now the two-time Paralympic medalist is rebuilding, one workout at a time.

Diagnosed at age 2 with juvenile retinal macular degeneration, Jean-Paul has only about 20% of his eyesight. Yet he has spent a lifetime proving that limited eyesight doesn’t have to limit ambition.

“I want to show the world that it’s possible,” Jean-Paul said. “No matter what your circumstances are.”

For Jean-Paul—better known as IJP to his fans—that belief has carried him from competing alongside athletes without disabilities as a child to becoming a two-time Paralympic medalist and world record holder. Now, he hopes to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics during the LA28 Games

“Vision involves your belief. Vision involves your faith, your discernment, your imagination,” he said. “I can't see the world the same way, so I have to imagine what I'm seeing. I have to feel what I'm seeing.”

Today, the Team USA track and field athlete is a two-time Paralympic medalist, world record holder and one of adaptive sports’ most recognizable advocates.

A Different Path

Unlike many Paralympians, Jean-Paul didn’t learn about the Paralympic Games until he was in college.

He spent his childhood competing alongside athletes without disabilities. Basketball was his first love, and it wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he discovered track and field.

Within three meets, he had broken his school’s high jump record.

A scholarship to Lewis University followed, where he became a five-time NCAA Division II All-American and national champion.

“I competed against nondisabled athletes my entire life,” he said. “My coaches didn't lean toward my disability as a crutch. They just saw my potential. They knew I was an athlete, and they trained me as such.”

Since then, his career has included world championships, world records and two Paralympic medals in long jump. But as the LA28 Games draws closer, his goal to qualify for both Games inspires him at every workout.

“It’s a big opportunity—not just for me, but for everyone to experience people with disabilities, not just athletes,” he said. “My goal is to show the world that it’s possible.”

An Unexpected Detour

Earlier this year, Jean-Paul had to put his vision on hold.

What initially felt like a typical overuse injury common among jumpers gradually worsened.

“I thought it was jumper’s knee,” Jean-Paul recalled. “But after a track meet in February, it was hard for me to walk upstairs. I couldn’t really bend my knee. I said, ‘Something is going on.’”

Imaging revealed torn cartilage in his knee.

Seeking answers, Jean-Paul met with Casey Batten, MD, co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, who reviewed the imaging, explained his treatment options and helped him understand what each option could mean for his long-term goals.

Batten also serves as chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Cedars-Sinai is the Official Medical Provider for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

After discussing rehabilitation and surgical options, Batten referred Jean-Paul to orthopedic surgeon Michael Banffy, MD, chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

For the first time in his life, Jean-Paul faced a decision he’d never imagined making.

He could continue managing the pain—or undergo the first surgery of his athletic career.

Because 2026 is a non-championship year, he viewed it as an opportunity to invest in the years ahead.

“I've been on since 2017,” he said. “I haven’t had a break in track and field. I looked at this as an opportunity to get my mind right, rejuvenate myself and get a new step on life.”

Back on Track

Banffy repaired the damaged cartilage arthroscopically, allowing Jean-Paul to begin rehabilitation soon after surgery.

“By treating it now, we’re allowing him to continue training, build strength and ultimately work toward qualifying for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Banffy said. “If he had ignored it, it likely would have become a recurring problem.”

For Jean-Paul, the medical expertise was matched by the trust he developed with his care team.

“I had never had surgery before,” he said. “Trust between surgeon and patient is very important. They built that trust with me, and that gave me confidence.”

Today, recovery has become part of training.

Most mornings begin before sunrise with cycling, weight training, pool workouts and physical therapy. Progress comes one day at a time.

“I keep telling myself one day at a time,” he said. “If I move too soon, it’s going to be a regression.”

Banffy remains optimistic.

“I’m extremely confident that IJP will make a full recovery,” he said. “He’ll be able to train, and I’ll be rooting for him as he works toward these LA28 Games.”

More Than Medals

For Jean-Paul, the LA28 Games represents something more than another competition.

Throughout the year, Jean-Paul visits schools, speaks with students and encourages young people—especially those with disabilities—to dream bigger than others expect them to.

He has written children’s books promoting inclusion and empowerment, and hopes his own journey reminds others that success looks different for everyone.

“Gold doesn’t necessarily mean standing on top of the podium,” he said. “I’m out here chasing my dream, and you can do the same thing.”

When he imagines the LA28 Games, he doesn’t picture the medal ceremony first.

He pictures his daughter.

“I visualize holding my daughter with the American flag wrapped around us,” he said. “Showing her, ‘This is what dreams are made of.’”

For now, that vision begins with one workout, one therapy session and one day at a time.

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Behind the scenes, that preparation includes building a vast, coordinated medical system designed to support not only the elite athletes taking part in the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but the coaches, staff, volunteers and spectators.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom recently spoke with Casey Batten, MD, chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, to discuss what it takes to plan medical care at the scale of the Olympic and Paralympic Games—and what it means for athletes, fans and the Los Angeles community.

What is the role of the chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

Ultimately, the role of the chief medical officer is to oversee all of the medical infrastructure delivered to all stakeholders—including athletes, coaches, their entourages and spectators.

Medical care for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place across multiple settings. One of the central hubs is the polyclinic in the Olympic and Paralympic Village, which primarily serves athletes and those living there, including coaches and support staff.

Beyond that, care extends to training locations and competition venues spread across the region, each requiring its own coordinated medical presence. Ensuring that all of these environments are properly staffed, connected and prepared is a key part of delivering care at this scale.

What types of injuries do you expect to be treating?

As with any major sporting event, we expect to see common overuse injuries, along with strains and sprains—especially as athletes ramp up training closer to the Games.

But one of the biggest concerns isn’t injury—it’s illness. When you think about it, most of these athletes have been training their entire lives for this moment. For many, this is their one shot at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Even something as simple as a common cold can completely derail years of preparation and impact performance on the world stage.

That’s why, from a medical planning perspective, so much focus is placed on preventing and managing illness. Respiratory infections, gastrointestinal bugs and other viruses are among the biggest risks during the LA28 Games.

What is the main challenge gearing up for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

The scale is unlike anything else.

When I first stepped into this role, one of the most eye-opening aspects was just how much detailed planning is required—and how many different teams and functional areas are involved in every decision. Delivering medical care at the LA28 Games isn’t about making decisions in isolation. Every choice requires coordination.

Even something that seems straightforward—like deciding where to place an X-ray machine—can impact multiple departments, from venue operations to logistics to athlete flow. Now multiply those types of decisions across roughly 50 venues, and it quickly becomes a massive, interconnected puzzle.

Having worked in sports medicine for two decades and having supported large-scale sporting events, I can say that nothing compares to the Games. A common comparison is that it’s like putting on seven Super Bowls a day for several weeks—and that really captures the magnitude of what we’re preparing for.

What are you most excited about?

It’s hard to overstate how special the LA28 Games will be.

For most athletes, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the culmination of years, often decades, of training and sacrifice. Being able to witness that level of intensity, focus and emotion in person is incredibly powerful. There’s an energy at the Olympic and Paralympic Games that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it, it’s something you feel across every competition, every race and every moment.

I’d especially encourage people to watch the Paralympic Games—the level of competition, the determination and the passion are extraordinary.

Even if you’re not familiar with a particular sport, I think people will find themselves drawn in. Whether it’s Olympic or Paralympic competition, there’s something universally compelling about watching individuals push the limits of what’s possible. 

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In this role, Kruse will lead the medical infrastructure supporting Paralympic athletes in Milan—whose medical needs are often complex due to underlying health conditions—along with their coaches and staff.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from March 6 to March 15, 2026. 

“Dr. Kruse’s deep understanding of elite sport and athlete-centered care makes him uniquely qualified to lead medical operations for Team USA’s Milan Village Sports Medicine Clinic at the Paralympic Games,” said Jonathan Finnoff, chief medical officer of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. “His experience supporting athletes with complex medical needs, combined with his leadership across multiple Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be invaluable in delivering world-class care.”

Kruse’s appointment reflects his two decades of experience caring for elite athletes and his deep roots in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. A former competitive gymnast, Kruse competed on the U.S. Senior National Team for four years. He served as a team physician for USA Gymnastics from 2008 to 2024. He served as part of the Olympic Games medical staff in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. In 2020, he became USA Gymnastics’ medical director, overseeing athlete care through the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

At Cedars-Sinai, Kruse practices primary care sports medicine and non-operative orthopaedics, with clinical expertise in musculoskeletal injuries, sports concussion, ultrasound-guided procedures and the medical needs of athletes. He also brings specialized insight into treating gymnasts and dancers—experience informed by his collegiate athletic career as a six-time All-American, NCAA Team Champion and captain of the gymnastics team at the University of California, Berkeley.

Much of Kruse’s current work also focuses on preparations for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Alongside Casey Batten, MD, chief medical officer for LA28, Kruse serves as Senior Medical Advisor, helping the LA28 Organizing Committee plan medical services for athletes, staff, officials and spectators.

“Dr. Kruse brings an exceptional combination of clinical skill, firsthand athletic experience and medical leadership within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement,” Batten said. “His expertise will be essential in supporting Team USA at Milano Cortina 2026 and as we continue to build a world-class medical system for the LA28 Games.”

Kruse also is a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Medical Network, through which Cedars-Sinai provides care for Team USA athletes as they prepare for national and international competitions leading to the LA28 Games.

Kruse is available to speak to media about:

• Medical planning and operations for Team USA at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
• Olympic & Paralympic athlete health, safety and performance
• Common injuries and medical challenges in Paralympic and adaptive sports
• Differences in care for Paralympic versus Olympic athletes
• Paralympic and adaptive sports medicine and emerging care models

To arrange interviews, contact Melissa Vizcarra at 719-502-5001 or melissa.vizcarra@cshs.org.

Batten’s appointment follows Cedars-Sinai’s announcement last fall that it will be the Official Medical Provider for the LA28 Games, serving as a critical resource and medical adviser to LA28 in establishing medical services in the Olympic and Paralympic Village and at sporting venues for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cedars-Sinai also is a supporter of Team USA and one of eight medical institutions in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Medical Network, providing medical treatment for Team USA athletes as they prepare to compete in national and international competitions leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 and LA28. Cedars-Sinai, the exclusive Team USA and LA28 Medical Network provider in Los Angeles and surrounding areas of Southern California, started treating Team USA athletes in 2024.

In his chief medical officer role, Batten will be responsible for all aspects of medical services planning and delivery as the senior medical services official within the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He also will be a primary link with the International Olympic Committee’s Medical and Scientific Commission on all medical services issues and will be a member of the commission. Additionally, he will work directly with the International Paralympic Committee's chief medical officer.

“I am thrilled to serve as chief medical officer and contribute to the health and success of Team USA athletes and the LA28 Games,” Batten said. “Cedars-Sinai and I are fully committed to the highest-quality care for athletes, coaches, team personnel and visitors who will come from around the world to Los Angeles for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Batten has extensive experience treating elite athletes. He is co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship in the Department of Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai. In his clinical practice, he specializes in primary care sports medicine with a focus on nonsurgical treatment of athletic-related injury and illness, as well as diagnostic and interventional ultrasound.

Batten is head team physician for the Los Angeles Rams, participates in numerous NFL committees and is a member of the NFL Physicians Society. He also is an active member and has served on the board of directors of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

Prior to joining Cedars-Sinai, Batten served as director of Primary Care Sports Medicine and fellowship director of the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. Before Kerlan-Jobe, he was head team physician for the University of California, Berkeley.

“Dr. Batten’s experience will be a major asset to LA28 as we build a world-class support team for the Games and all who attend, including the exceptional athletes visiting Los Angeles in 2028,” said LA28 chief athlete officer, Janet Evans. “His proven track record of clinical expertise and medical leadership in sports medicine are invaluable as we prepare to meet the extensive medical needs of the entire Olympic and Paralympic community.”

Batten and Cedars-Sinai will build on their critical role in supporting Team USA athletes on the journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and LA28 through the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Medical Network, expanding their scope and responsibilities to ensure the wellbeing of athletes, coaches, support staff and fans at the LA28 Games.

“Dr. Batten and Cedars-Sinai bring great expertise, care and professionalism to the global Olympic and Paralympic community as Los Angeles welcomes Team USA athletes and international competitors in 2028,” said Jonathan Finnoff, chief medical officer of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. “Collaboration is vital to our shared mission of ensuring the health and safety of everyone attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership as we approach LA28."

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Batten earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga. He completed his sports medicine fellowship at the University of California, Davis, and at UC Berkeley. A highly respected educator within the sports medicine community, Batten is a peer reviewer for sports medicine journals and is an invited guest lecturer at events nationwide.

“Dr. Batten is the perfect physician leader to serve as chief medical officer for the LA28 Games,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. “The entire Cedars-Sinai team stands with Dr. Batten in dedicating ourselves to serve our community and country as we prepare for the Games.”

About Cedars-Sinai

Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research. Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients and in developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow’s health professionals. Cedars-Sinai serves as the official health partner for the Los Angeles Rams and the Angel City Football Club and treats professional and elite athletes throughout the world to ensure they perform at the highest levels. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.

About LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time hosting the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, nonprofit organization, with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee. For more information, visit LA28.org.

About Team USA

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. The USOPC is focused on protecting, supporting and empowering America’s athletes, and is responsible for fielding U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, and serving as the steward of the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the U.S. For more information, visit TeamUSA.com. 

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Cedars-Sinai will be a critical resource and medical adviser to LA28 in establishing medical services in the Olympic and Paralympic village and at sporting venues for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Cedars-Sinai is also a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Medical Network, supporting medical treatment of athletes as they prepare to compete in national and international competitions leading up to the 2028 Games.

These partnerships underscore Cedars-Sinai’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of Angelenos and the athletes and visitors globally who will benefit from world-class care at one of the premier academic medical centers in the U.S.

“We’ve been training for this,” said Peter L. Slavin, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. "Team USA’s pursuit of greatness drives them to never stop pushing what’s possible. Cedars-Sinai’s team shares this pursuit of greatness and is continuously expanding the boundaries of what’s possible for our patients and community.”

As one of the leading medical providers in the country with more than 200 locations in Southern California, Cedars-Sinai is at the forefront of innovation in clinical care and medical research, combining expertise in orthopedics, cardiology and numerous other specialties with the most advanced facilities and technology to keep athletes healthy as they compete.

“Cedars-Sinai has been a cornerstone of the Los Angeles community for more than 120 years. LA28 is already creating a legacy driving community benefit, and we don’t need to wait until 2028 to make an impact,” said Chris Pepe, chief commercial officer at United States Olympic and Paralympic Properties and LA28. “This partnership will enhance our collective efforts to drive progress, reimagining the way the Olympic and Paralympic Games serve the world. We have a unique opportunity together to have everyone be a part of the LA28 story.”

Cedars-Sinai is one of nine medical institutions in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Medical Network and has already begun offering care for Team USA athletes. Cedars-Sinai is the exclusive provider in Los Angeles and surrounding areas of Southern California.

“Cedars-Sinai brings remarkable healthcare skill and knowledge to Team USA athletes as they train and compete,” said Jonathan Finnoff, DO, chief medical officer of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). “As a member of the USOPC’s Medical Network, Cedars-Sinai offers critical support to Team USA athletes, elevating the quality of care we offer to our athletes, and we look forward to continuing this partnership on the road to LA28.”  

Cedars-Sinai is excited to be gearing up for the 2028 Games.

“Athletes push the boundaries of human potential, breaking records and setting new standards,” said Slavin of Cedars-Sinai. “Similarly, our Cedars-Sinai team leads in medical innovation, constantly advancing the field. Just like Olympic athletes, our Cedars-Sinai staff are dedicating themselves to serve our community and our country as the Games come to Los Angeles.”

About Cedars-Sinai

Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research. Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients and in developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow’s health professionals. Cedars-Sinai serves as the official health partner for the Los Angeles Rams and the Angel City Football Club and treats professional and elite athletes throughout the world to ensure they perform at the highest levels. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.

About LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time hosting the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, nonprofit organization, with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee. For more information, visit LA28.org.

Legends, a global premium company, helped source the partnership between Cedars-Sinai and LA28.

About Team USA

Team USA is the world’s largest and most diverse team of athletes from across the United States who compete at the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, founded in 1894, serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and is responsible for protecting, supporting and empowering Team USA athletes. For more information, visit TeamUSA.com.

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