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.