The Department of Defense announced today the military athletes who will represent the United States at the first-ever Invictus Games, which will be held Sept. 10-14 in the United Kingdom.
The games are an international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans and will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
The United States is one of 14 teams participating, and includes 98 military athletes: 22 from the Army, 20 from the Marine Corps, 22 from the Navy, 22 from the Air Force and 12 from U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Of the service members, 53 are active duty and 45 are veterans.
"The courage and resilience of our military athletes is an inspiration to all of us," said Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica Wright. "We are very proud of their service, their accomplishments, their spirit, and are pleased that they are representing us to the world."
The wounded, ill and injured service members will participate in nine events: cycling, swimming, track and field, archery, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting, and a driving challenge.
These military athletes were selected by their specific Services after a year-long series of camps, clinics, and trials throughout the country. Selections were based on the athletes' level of ability and skill.
"The men and women representing the United States and the other 13 nations at the Invictus Games, are the embodiment of precisely what Invictus
means: unconquered," said James Rodriquez, deputy assistant secretary of defense, warrior care policy. "The athletes, despite their wounds, injuries, and illness, have chosen to be the masters of their fate and the captains of their souls. They are an inspiration to the global community."
means: unconquered," said James Rodriquez, deputy assistant secretary of defense, warrior care policy. "The athletes, despite their wounds, injuries, and illness, have chosen to be the masters of their fate and the captains of their souls. They are an inspiration to the global community."
The team is made up of both officer and enlisted ranks, male and female competitors, and active duty and veterans. Their wounds, illnesses and injuries range from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), to spinal cord injuries, autoimmune diseases, and amputations.
The U.S. Team's captain, Chris Self, a retired Army sergeant major, supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq with the U.S. Army Special Forces. Assistant captain, Scott Palomino, a retired Air Force senior airman, served in Iraq. "The international stage that our nation's service members will be showcased on, represents the spirit of competition and camaraderie," said Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. "They wore our flag while defending the United States. Now they wear it to represent our country alongside service men and women from around the world, demonstrating the persistence and perseverance that allows them to live life to the fullest, regardless of what challenges one may encounter."
Adaptive sports and athletic reconditioning play a key role in recovery and rehabilitation for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans. They expose service members to opportunities for physical fitness and activity, and introduces them to sports and other activities they may not have participated in or even heard of before their wound, illness, or injury.
After attending the 2013 Warrior Games, His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales was inspired to host an international adaptive sports event in the United Kingdom. The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who holds the rank of captain and continues to serve in Britain's armed forces, announced the 2014 Invictus Games in March of this year.
For more information, please visit:InvictusGames.org
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