A Florida-based petty officer and world-class swimmer will join athletes from 110 countries at the Military World Games in Brazil later this month.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Lisa Broadfield has been swimming competitively for over 20 years and has her eyes set on the Olympics, but believes these military games hold great meaning.
“As a member of Team USA, and the US Navy for seven and a half years, I can relay that each U.S. service member displays great pride in his or her dedication to country and love of sport and provides a positive exchange and respect to all international partnerships.”
In 1995 the Conseil International Du Sport Militaire convened its first world games in Rome, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the ratification of the United Nations and has continued to grow in participation.
“I am certain that most, if not all athletes are aware of the significance of these events, and I am personally one of those proud athletes,” she said.
Beginning on July 16th, more than 6,000 military athletes will come together in 20 events. Team USA will join the services (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force & Coast Guard) and compete as one. Each service member will represent themselves as an athlete, a service member, an ambassador, and most importantly, a friend.
Broadfield, a long-distance swimmer, will compete in the 200-meter butterfly and 400, 800 and 1500 freestyle events. Her teammates will participate in a number of other competitions; a Marathon, boxing, basketball, fencing, equestrian, soccer, judo, modern pentathlon, taekwondo, shooting, triathlon, sailing, volleyball and beach volleyball. orienteering, parachuting, naval pentathlon; military pentathlon and aeronautical pentathlon.
The athletes recognized have been members of the U.S. Armed Forces Team in previous years and have bonded multiple relationships with many international teams and individuals. In question, members have found great pride in the organization of friendships through sport and the competitive challenge among many internationally recognized world class Olympians.
With the games being held in Rio Di Janeiro this year, the military sport council anticipates building closer ties between Brazil, the U.S, and many other partner nations.
The Military World Games has proven to be a great campaign and focus over the last few decades, displaying personal relationships among each other as competitors, and showing that friendship through sport has been a positive collaboration and demonstration of international spirit for many.
“These games represent so much more than just the events themselves, and these athlete’s display so much character in building these relationships among many countries,” Broadfield said. “It is surely one of the most emotional and gratifying experiences one could ever possibly be a part of.”
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