The 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, kicks off this week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
Earlier today, Magic Kingdom hosted athletes taking part in the Warrior Games for a welcome parade along Main Street U.S.A. Watch the video below for a look.
Nearly 300 athletes from across the globe representing the U.S. military and ally nations will take part in 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.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, donated for use and serving as a Warrior Games venue for the first time, is a 220-acre facility that features multiple indoor and outdoor competition sites that previously hosted the 2016 Invictus Games. The DoD Warrior Games was scheduled to take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in 2021 but was cancelled due to COVID.
“These courageous service members, injured during their military duty, have demonstrated their resilience and an ability to overcome unthinkable obstacles,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “They are the truest definition of the warrior’s spirit, and we are honored to welcome them to the Warrior Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports this summer.”
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