Air Force officials seek Warrior Games participants

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WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force officials are seeking 25 warriors to compete in the 2011 Warrior Games, an Olympic-style competition open to wounded, ill and injured military members and veterans.

The Warrior Games were developed through the partnership between the United States Olympic Committee and the Defense Department, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a recent Pentagon news conference.

Admiral Mullen explained that athletes who compete in the Warrior Games demonstrate that regardless of circumstance, physical fitness and a passion to win remain at the core of military culture.

"While these values are certainly important on the battlefield, they're also important to the recovery process of our wounded, ill and injured troops," he said. "When we focus on abilities rather than disabilities, we see that physical fitness and sports can have a healing effect on the mind, on the body and on the soul."

The 2010 Air Force Warrior Games team consisted of 18 heroes who represented the best of the Air Force, said Capt. Courtnee Cruz, Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care policy chief.

"We had a great team last year, and this year we're expecting the games to be even better," the captain said.

Charlie Huebner, head of the U.S. Olympic Committee's Paralympics Division, said the emotion, intensity and competitive atmosphere he felt at last year's games eclipsed any other sporting event he had ever witnessed.

"The some 200 injured service members who came to Colorado Springs last year got to feel that magic," Mr. Huebner said. "The power to heal, the power to compete and the power to dream, they were touched by that at the inaugural Warrior Games."

Approximately 200 warriors from all services will compete in the event, which will be held May 16 through 21 in Colorado Springs, Colo., with training camps scheduled in February and May, Captain Cruz said. Athletes will compete in archery, cycling, basketball, shooting, swimming, track and field and volleyball.

People interested in applying should do so immediately by calling the Air Force Wounded Warrior office at 800-581-9437 or sending an e-mail to afwounded.warrior@randolph.af.mil for application information. The application deadline is Jan. 11, 2011.

For more information about the 2011 Warrior Games, visit http://usparalympics.org/usoc-paralympic-military-program/warrior-games-presented-by-deloitte.