I’ve welded and patched wheelchairs for the US wheelchair-rugby team at 4 Paralympic Games. This is how I got into it and what it’s like.

• Bob Murray has looked after the US wheelchair-rugby team's equipment at four Paralympic Games.
• He described the damage they can take in a game that's so violent, it's nicknamed "murderball."
• He spoke with freelance journalist Jessica Farthing for Insider.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Bob Murray, the equipment manager for the US wheelchair-rugby team, from Las Vegas. It has been edited for length and clarity.

As one of the equipment managers for the US wheelchair-rugby team, I've become a world traveler. The Paralympic Games in Tokyo is my fourth trip to support these amazing athletes.

I came to the Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Department straight out of high school, 30-plus years ago. Inside the organization, there's an opportunity to be involved with the sports and recreation program for people with disabilities.

These programs often require the use of adapted sports equipment such as wheelchairs – and sometimes, those chairs need repair. I was offered the opportunity to step into that role, which was a wonderful opportunity that defined my career.

In 2005, we eventually set up a high-performance wheelchair-rugby clinic and brought James Gumbert, the national-team coach, to Las Vegas. It afforded an opportunity for the area to expand into a tournament location for world-class wheelchair rugby.

We were able to connect with the coach and a few athletes to make it happen. The clinic ended up having 50 participants. It was a huge success, and it got our Las Vegas wheelchair-rugby team restarted.

I remember exactly where I was when Gumbert called me to join the Paralympic team.

It was February 2, 2008, around 11 a.m. I was in my kitchen, and Gumbert said, "I need you." It was emotional. To be pulled into helping support a group of elite athletes was an amazing opportunity.

Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, physical sport played in a "Mad Max"-style wheelchair by athletes with disabilities. It was originally called "murderball" for its rough play. The sport is coed, and this year's United States Paralympic rugby team had its first female player.

The aim of the game, which is played on a gym floor, is to carry the ball across the other team's goal line.

Two wheels of the sport wheelchair have to cross the line for the goal to count, a rule that results in blocking, banging tires, and crashing chairs. The equipment takes a beating as each team tries to gain the high score. I work to keep the team chairs operable.

Performing the duties of equipment manager at my first Paralympics in Beijing was an incredible experience. I couldn't believe I was there. Each Paralympic Game is different. To be a part of this team and representing our country is something special.

I work alongside Chuck French and am honored to share the position with him. Our job could involve everything from welding the frames to maintaining casters and bearings for the optimal performance and least resistance.

During matches, players may pop a tire, and we rush onto the court to fix it. Given the contact nature of the sport and the weight of the chairs, players can be flipped onto the ground during play. They are strapped into their wheelchairs, so we help right them to allow play to resume.

On and off the court, we make minor repairs to the chairs quite a bit during the matches. On off days, we're involved in more major repairs. We weld and replace parts.

I love being involved with sports and being the team behind the team. Being able to assist the coach, and provide opportunities for athletes to succeed and reach their goals at this level, is an amazing honor and privilege.

With all of the uncertainty of the past year, it is amazing that we were there. The commitment of the athletes; the staff; and our training site and home, Lakeshore Foundation, was key in helping us get to the games.

Without everyone working toward this goal by following the protocols and training on their own during the pandemic, we would not have gotten to Tokyo. I am so glad we made it.