This weekend has been a special time at Walt Disney World featuring some of the greatest athletes overcoming some of the biggest challenges.
Featured Image Courtesy: Disney Parks
The Department of Defense for the United States of America is hosting special Warrior Games at the Walt Disney World Resort and the opening ceremonies have been this weekend. To say that the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Shades of Green Resort have been abuzz would be an understatement. All over Disney World, fans of soldiers and service members are gathering to watch competitions that show just how mighty the human spirit can be.
Below, we have collected some of the best videos from around the web that show off the event. Afterwards, if you’d like to see details about everything happening over the next days, we have that information included as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9nhcPBNMGQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zDcQ7PVhXc
From the DOD Warrior Games Website:
Orlando area community invited to experience nine days of international adaptive sporting competition
The 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, kicks off next week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. Nearly 300 athletes from across the globe representing the U.S. military and ally nations will arrive in Central Florida for the annual event, Aug. 19-28.
The Warrior Games, first held in 2010, celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran U.S. military service members as they compete in adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball and others.
COVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES:
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August 19 – Opening Ceremony at The Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, hosted by comedian Jon Stewart and featuring a performance by singer and songwriter Darius Rucker. (NOTE: Space is limited. Media wishing to cover Opening Ceremony must RSVP to Travis Claytor,TravisClaytorAPR@Gmail.com, or Madison Bonzo, madison.t.bonzo.civ@army.mil, by 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 18)
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August 20-28 – Nine days of Paralympic-style adaptive sports competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the surrounding community.
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Local central Florida veterans and service members will be among the athletes and coaches competing including:
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Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Greene (Orlando, Fla.)
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Navy MN1 (Ret.) Mark Coltrain (Edgewater, Fla.)
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USMC Sgt. (Ret.) Andrew Blackburn (Palm Bay, Fla.)
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Athletes use adaptive sports to enhance recovery from physical and mental injuries.
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Teams from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Special Operations Command and international ally nations will compete.
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August 28 – Closing Ceremony at The Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, hosted by Jon Stewart and featuring a performance by rock band American Authors. (NOTE: Space is limited. Media wishing to cover Closing Ceremony must RSVP to Travis Claytor, TravisClaytorAPR@Gmail.com, Or Madison Bonzo, madison.t.bonzo.civ@army.mil, by 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 27)
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EVENT LOCATIONS:
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ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex:
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Wheelchair rugby – August 20-22
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Cycling – August 22
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Indoor rowing – August 23
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Powerlifting – August 23
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Wheelchair basketball – August 23-25
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Track and field – August 24-25
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Sitting volleyball – August 26-28
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Archery – August 27
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Orange County Convention Center, Hall WD1
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Shooting – August 20-21
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Rosen Aquatic Center
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Swimming – August 26
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Disney’s Palm Golf Course
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Golf Exhibition – August 24
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A map of venue locations and event times can be found at www.DoDWarriorGames.com/games/schedule
For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts. To all those participating in the events featured in this article, we thank you for your service!
