Adaptive sports in general are great therapy for injured veterans. But there is nothing quite like adding a little competition to inspire wounded warriors to greatness, especially when it involves a friendly struggle against other branches of the service.
After more than a week of competition, the U.S. Department of Defense Warrior Games ended on June 28. The Army took home highest honors with 162 medals, the Department of Defense reported. The Marine Corps finished in second and the Air Force came in third. More than 500 medals were awarded over the course of the event.
A celebration of perseverance
The Warrior Games is an annual athletic competition for ill, wounded or injured servicemembers and veterans in the U.S. While the competition has traditionally occurred in Colorado, this year the event was organized by the Department of Defense and held at Marine Corp Base Quantico, Virginia, the DoD reported.
"What an incredible series of Games it's been," said Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work during the closing ceremony. "These Games demonstrate just how important adaptive sports are to the recovery, reconditioning, rehabilitation process for our wounded, ill and injured warriors."
Athletic veterans may find that they also enjoy yoga.
Competition across branches
This year's Warrior Games featured approximately 250 athletes from the Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, U.S. Special Operations Command and the British Armed Forces, the DoD reported.
One of many impressive feats during the event was the 57 medals won by Army swimmers over the course of 48 events. According to the Army, its soldiers took home 17 gold, 22 silver and 18 bronze medals at the meet on June 27 at the Manassas Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center pool.
The branch's medals included first place finishes in the 200 meter mixed freestyle relay (02:18.3) and the women's 200 meter freestyle relay (02:31.6), the Army reported.
"You can feel the love," Tracy Smith, a Marine veteran, told an Army reporter while watching the swimming events. "They persevere and people rally. It's such a positive experience. That's what it's all about."
The Chairman's Cup was awarded to the Army team at the closing ceremony on June 28, the DoD reported. The cup goes to the team that earns the most points throughout the course of the Games.