Wounded Warrior Project hosted a send-off dinner Tuesday night for the 61 athletes representing the United States at Invictus Games, to be held April 16-22, in The Hague, Netherlands.
"I am extremely proud of Team U.S. athletes for making it to the Invictus Games," said WWP Physical Health & Wellness Vice President James Herrera. "For many, this long journey as a competitor in adaptive sports began during service after an injury."
Related
Nearly half of the U.S. team are registered warriors with WWP. Many grew their skills in modified athletic opportunities through WWP's Adaptive Sports, Physical Health and Wellness, and Soldier Ride programs.
Known as the "One-Armed Archer," retired Navy Corpsman Gabriel George joined WWP in 2015 after a motorcycle accident left him with severe spinal cord damage, resulting in a paralyzed right arm, which was amputated in 2020. He will represent Team U.S. for the first time in adaptive archery, swimming, and rowing.
Related
"People see me doing sports and ask me how," said George. "The answer is simple; I could not do all that I do without the support of Wounded Warrior Project. Ninety percent of the time, I am in pain, but I always have an event to look forward to and other warriors to help. Living the logo keeps me going, and I am energized for my first games with the team."
Invictus Games was founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and former captain in the British Army. Today, more than 500 competitors from 20 nations compete in a series of events like archery, sitting volleyball, track, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting, and swimming.
Learn more about the Invictus Games in The Hague here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.