Marines will compete in the inaugural Warrior Games, May 10-14, 2010, at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Wounded Marines will compete against the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard in Warrior Games hosted by U.S. Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Paralympic Military Program.
The Warrior Games will help elevate abilities through athletic competition for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers by providing a focal event to empower the incorporation of athletics into Military Service wounded warrior programs. “Our goal is to showcase the value of sports and athletic competition in the rehabilitation of our wounded Marines” said Col. Greg Boyle, Commanding Officer, Wounded Warrior Regiment.
The Marine Corps will field a team of 50 athletes and 10 alternates to complete in events which include archery, cycling, shooting (air pistol/rifle) sitting volleyball, swimming, track & field, wheelchair, and basketball. In addition to winners in each event, there will be an “Ultimate Warrior” competition in a pentathlon format. The Wounded Warrior Regiment is the unit responsible for the Marine Corps team.
Eligibility will include Marines who are wounded, ill and injured, on active duty, reserve or retired. Categories are lower body impairment, upper body impairment, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and post traumatic stress disorder. “Because the Marine Corps has a much smaller population of wounded warriors than does the Army, it is reaching out to former Marines who have been awarded the Purple Heart,” said Boyle.
The Warrior Games will be an annual event that will celebrate the achievement of wounded, ill and injured servicemembers. The Wounded Warrior Regiment is now accepting applications through January 2010. The Marine team will be selected by a three-person committee on Monday, 15 February 2010. “Warrior Games gives rehabilitating Marines something to focus on as they recover,” said Boyle.
For more information about the Marine Team for Warrior Games, questions and applications go to: www.woundedwarriorregiment.org/warriorgames.aspx or email us at wwrwarriorgames@usmc.mil.
For more information about the Wounded Warrior Regiment go to: www.woundedwarriorregiment.org or call the Sgt. Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center 24/7 at 877.487.6299.
Media should contact Captain Leticia Reyes, Public Affairs Officer, Wounded Warrior Regiment at 703.432.1845 or email leticia.reyes1@usmc.mil.