Wounded, ill, and injured service men and women will compete in the inaugural Warrior Games, May 10-14, 2010, through a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Olympic Committee. These inaugural games are part of an effort to inspire recovery, capitalize on physical fitness, and promote opportunities for growth and achievement among those wounded, ill, or injured.
The Warrior Games will provide a unique challenge for those who wish to learn more about adaptive sports and compete at a national level. An estimated 200 athletes will travel to the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to compete as the guests of the U.S. Olympic Committee's (USOC) Paralympic Military Program. From the Army there will be 100 servicemembers, 50 from the Marine Corps, 25 from the Air Force, and 25 from the Navy/ Coast Guard.
All athletes and alternates selected will receive training assistance in preparation for the May games. Some of this support includes coaching clinics by US Paralympics coaches, training by the Army Marksmanship Unit, cycling training by Ride 2 Recovery, and adaptive sports equipment provided by the generosity of the United Services Organization, American Red Cross, and others.
As in all adaptive/Paralympic athletic events athletes will compete against others with similar challenges, and the differing categories will include grouping athletes by:
-Upper body injuries
-Lower body injuries
-Spinal cord injuries
-Traumatic brain injuries
-Post-traumatic stress
The events will be shooting, swimming, archery, sitting volleyball, cycling, track, wheelchair basketball, discus, and shot put. In addition to winners in each event, there will be an "Ultimate Warrior" competition in a pentathlon format, and service team scoring for a rotating Chairman's Cup.
The Warrior Games provide a focal event to empower the incorporation of athletics into military wounded warrior programs, and provide an opportunity to introduce Paralympic sports to injured service members, while at the same time building camaraderie and raising awareness of Paralympic competition and adaptive sports in general.
Those interested in submitting a nomination package to be considered as a competitor should request a packet through their chain of command, or from the following service representatives:
* U.S. Army, MSG James Shiver, james.shiver@us.army.mil
* U.S. Air Force, Capt Sarah Bruno, sarah.bruno@pentagon.af.mil
* U.S. Marine Corps, LtCol Benjamin Hermantin, benjamin.hermantin@med.navy.mil
* U.S. Navy, HMCS Kenneth Montgomery, kenneth.j.montgomer2@navy.mil
Once on the battlefield...now on the playing field...with the same fighting spirit...
Nine Sports
200 Athletes
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