TAMPA, FL — Moments of inspiration, triumph and camaraderie mark the Department of Defense Warrior Games, which opened June 21 and continue through June 30.
More than 300 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans are in Tampa this week to represent the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command, U.K. Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force, Canadian Armed Forces, Armed Forces of the Netherlands and the Danish Armed Forces in this year’s games.
Check out this hilarious video starring Jon Stewart and Mayor Jane Castor. The end reveals some familiar suspects in the theft of the Warrior Games torch.
Begun in 2010, the Warrior Games feature 14 adaptive sports: archery, cycling, indoor rowing, power lifting, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, time trial cycling, track, field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby and golf.
Opening ceremonies at Amalie Arena, hosted by Jon Stewart, former host of The Daily Show, featured a performance by country singer/songwriter Hunter Hayes and military bands from six countries, with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on hand to help light the official cauldron and introduce the athletes.
The Paralympic-style athletic events taking place at venues throughout Tampa Bay including Amalie Arena, the Tampa Convention Center, Clearwater’s Long Aquatic Center and the University of South Florida.
There is still plenty of time to catch some events.
Wednesday’s events:
Cycling road race at MacDill Air Force Base from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wheelchair rugby preliminary from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tampa Convention Center
Sitting volleyball preliminary from 3 to 8 p.m. at the convention center
Thursday’s events:
Shooting preliminary from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the convention center
Wheelchair rugby preliminary from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the convention center
Sitting volleyball preliminary from 3 to 8 p.m. at the convention center
Friday events:
Shooting finals from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the convention center
Wheelchair rugby finals from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the convention center
Wheelchair basketball finals from 3 to 8 p.m. at the convention center
Saturday events:
Swimming from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Long Aquatic Center
Sunday events:
Sitting volleyball finals from noon to 4 p.m. at the Yuengling Center
Closing ceremonies from 7 to 9 p.m. at Amalie Arena will feature music by country artist Sara Evans.
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