VA MidSouth Healthcare Network
39th National Veterans Wheelchair Games Kicks off
The 39th National Veterans Wheelchair Games kicked off in Louisville, Ky., today with a hard fought game of quad rugby. Chris Hull, left; and Mason Symons, right, put up a great battle that culminated in the Red Team winning 13-12.
The 39th National Veterans Wheelchair Games kicked off today with a celebration of Veterans, the City of Louisville and an intense game of wheelchair rugby.
"Every one of these athletes is a story of resilience," said Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge of the Veterans Health Administration.
Army Veteran and Paralyzed Veterans of America Mid-Atlantic Board member Jesse Oliff sang the National Anthem. Oliff served from 2002 to 2008 when she was injured by a roadside bomb.
The Robley Rex Medical Center Director Stephen Black said the games are presented annually by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America. The Games are open to all U.S. military Veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition because of a spinal cord injury, amputation, multiple sclerosis or other neurological conditions.
About 600 Veteran athletes from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great Britain will compete in sports such as air guns, archery, basketball, field, handcycling, power soccer, quad rugby and softball.
The first game of the Wheelchair Games was a grueling game of quad rugby Because the games are in Kentucky, the teams were red and blue mirroring the colors of Kentucky's college rivalry. In the end, the Red Team won the kick-off game 13-12.
