Presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games began in Richmond, Va., on June 25 and will run until June 30.
According to a press release, more than 500 of America’s best wheelchair athletes, all disabled U.S. military veterans, will compete in 17 different sports, including air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field, handcycling, nine-ball, a motorized wheelchair relay, power soccer, quad rugby, softball, swimming, table tennis, track and field, trapshooting, weightlifting and wheelchair slalom. Stand-up events for athletes who have amputations and choose to compete using prosthetic devices instead of wheelchairs will be held in archery and table tennis.
“The National Veterans Wheelchair Games started in the city of Richmond whose motto is ‘Thus do we reach the stars,’” Bill Lawson, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America, said in the release. “As the Games return to the city this year, I know they will inspire everyone — athletes and spectators alike —to overcome adversity and to reach their full potential.”
Admission to the games is free to the public.
