FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 6, 2019
Registration opens for 2020 National Veterans Wheelchair Games
40th anniversary of sports and rehabilitative event July 3-8
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) announced Jan. 6, registration is open for the 2020 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
Eligible Veterans may register through April 1 for the sports and rehabilitative event which runs July 3-8 in Portland, Oregon.
“The National Veterans Wheelchair Games serves as a premier adaptive sports medicine model demonstrating the unwavering pledge Veterans make to show nothing is impossible,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The last four decades, this life-changing competition has provided thousands of Veterans with disabilities, a national stage to celebrate their strength and willpower and open new doors with each challenge.”
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games debuted with seven events and 77 athletes. This year will feature more than 20 events and more than 650 athletes.
The games are designed for Veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or other neurological conditions. Each year Veterans travel from around the country to compete in the world’s largest annual multi-sport wheelchair competition.
“For this landmark 40th year we’re offering new and exciting opportunities for Veterans with disabilities, including adaptive e-sports, adaptive fitness competition and disc golf,” said David Zurfluh, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America and an Air Force Veteran who will compete at the event. “These novel sports, in addition to our annual adaptive sports competitions, will provide athletes with a great opportunity to gain skills, confidence and experience to take on challenges in their daily lives.”
Competitive events include air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field games, hand cycling, nine-ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting. Veterans compete against other former service members with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age.
For event updates, follow VA Adaptive Sports4Vets on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and through PVA on PVA Facebook, PVA Twitter and PVA Instagram.