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Sports

World Sport Chicago Hosts First Valor Games

CHICAGO — July 28, 2011 — Chicago, home to the country’s first parade for Vietnam War Veterans 25 years ago, will score another military “first” next month when it hosts America’s first “Valor Games” for Veterans and active duty service members with a disability.

The three-day event, held Aug. 23-Aug. 25, is sponsored by World Sport Chicago, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee.  The Valor Games will bring together Veterans and active service members with a disability and promote sports as a means of personal and community development.  World Sport Chicago is the legacy organization remaining from Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Valor Games is designed to help these individuals find another outlet of inspiration through sports and friendly competition,” said Scott Myers, executive director of World Sport Chicago.  “We’re proud to continue Chicago’s tradition of welcoming Veterans and active duty service members with a disability and look forward to hosting participants from across the Midwest.”

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2010 USA ParaTriathlon Athlete of the Year and Army Veteran Melissa Stockwell, the first female soldier to lose her leg in the Iraq War, will speak at the Valor Games. Stockwell, who lost her left leg in Baghdad six years ago, competed in three swimming events at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing with the U.S. Paralympic Team.  Since then, Stockwell has won the ParaTriathlon World Championships and has become a certified prosthetist.

“The Valor Games is a prime example of the kind of opportunities that are crucial for our disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces in the recovery process,” said Christopher Nowak, national director of the Veterans Affairs Paralympic Program Office.  “Sport and physical activity are powerful tools in the rehabilitation process, not only for the body, but also the mind.”

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The Valor Games begins at Soldier Field with an Opening Ceremony, concert and a parachute-drop from U.S. Navy SEALs. The event will continue with field events.  The second day will feature cycling and archery at U.S. Cellular Field.  The event concludes with power lifting and a virtual rowing on the third day at McGuane Park.

Illinois Warrior Summit Offers Support, Too

The Valor Games will share the stage with the Fourth Annual Welcome Home Celebration, an event hosted with the Illinois Warrior Summit.  The Illinois Warrior Summit connects Veterans with Veteran support organizations, including those for benefits, employment, education, housing and legal services.  On the first day of the Valor Games, the Illinois Warrior Summit will provide on-site services such as health care registration and exams and education and job counseling. 

World Sport Chicago partnered with the Chicago Park District, the Illinois Supporting All Veterans Equally Foundation, the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs, Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Paralympics to host the Valor Games.

Schedule

Aug. 23:

Location: Soldier Field

Time: 12 p.m.-9 p.m.

Events: Opening Ceremony (concert, parachute-drop from U.S. Navy SEALs), Field events

Aug. 24:

Location: U.S. Cellular Field

Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Events: Cycling and Archery 

Aug. 25:

Location: McGuane Park

Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Events: Powerlifting and Virtual Rowing

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