USSOCOM announces the 2019 DoD Warrior Games
The 2019 DoD Warrior Games will be held in Tampa

By: USSOCOM Public Affairs - 8/9/2018

  • Col. Cary Harbaugh at the Warrior Games briefing
    Army Col. Cary Harbaugh briefs local media on the 2019 DoD Warrior Games. The games will introduce wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans to paralympic-style sports.
    (Photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Barry Loo)
  • Army Col. Cary Harbaugh briefs local media on the 2019 DoD Warrior Games. The games will introduce wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans to paralympic-style sports.
    (Photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Barry Loo)
  • Army Col. Cary Harbaugh briefs local media on the 2019 DoD Warrior Games. The games will introduce wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans to paralympic-style sports.
    (Photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Barry Loo)

In a press conference held at SOFWERX in historic Ybor City, U.S. Special Operations Command proudly announced the command and the city of Tampa will host the 2019 DoD Warrior Games to be held June 21-30, 2019. Tampa Bay was selected by the DoD because of the supportive relationship between the military and the greater Tampa Bay community enabling increased interaction between our wounded, ill or injured warriors and the citizens they defend. 

“Our game here will look more like Chicago, Chicago is the first time we really brought it to a major urban setting…,”said Army Col. Cary Harbaugh, U.S. Special Operations Command Warrior Games 2019 director. “It’s heartwarming for your wounded warriors when they see big crowds out there cheering them on as they play these games.”

More than 300 athletes comprised of service members and veterans from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command, and five partner nations to include the United Kingdom Armed Forces, Australian Defense Force, Canadian Armed Forces, Danish Defense Force, and the Netherlands Defense Force will compete.

Athletes will compete in 14 events, including archery, wheelchair basketball, road cycling, time-trial cycling, field, golf, powerlifting, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, wheelchair tennis. For the first time in Warrior Games history golf, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis for the first time in DoD Warrior Games history in 2019.

The 2019 DoD Warrior Games will be open to the public and venues will be announced in the future. All are invited to attend, support and honor U.S. and international wounded warriors as they overcome adversity through sport. The 2019 Games marks the first time that the U.S. Special Operations Command will serve as the host for the DoD Warrior Games.

Created in 2010, the DoD Warrior Games introduce wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans to Paralympic-style sports. Warrior Games showcases the resilient spirit of today’s wounded, ill or injured service members from all branches of the military. These athletes have overcome significant physical and behavioral injuries and prove that life can continue after becoming wounded, ill or injured.

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