After the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined all Warrior Games athletes for the 2020 season, the Department of Defense was excited to announce that the Army will host the 2021 games next September.
The 2021 event will be hosted by the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command and will take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in September.
The 2020 Warrior Games were to be hosted by the U.S. Marine Corps in San Antonio. Foreseeing the longevity of the pandemic, the Marine Corps made the call to cancel at the end of May even though the event was not to take place until September of this year.
“After careful consideration for all parties involved, canceling this year’s Games is the best option to ensure our athletes and their supporters remain healthy and safe during these times," Col. Richard Pitchford, Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Regiment said in May.
Now, the 2021 event will mark the 10th year of the Warrior Games. Started in 2010, the event includes adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, and wheelchair rugby among others during the games. Hundreds of elite-athletes, including those from international allied nations, participate in the games.
And beyond competition and excitement, the games serve another purpose for those service members competing. Exposure to adaptive sports enhances the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors. Military Paralympic adaptive sports programs help wounded service members and veterans build strength and endurance and draw inspiration from their teammates.
At this time, the U.S. Army is planning for the 2021 event to be open to the public.