The Wounded Warrior Games are more than a competition

Active members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are willing to bear all costs, including the highest costs, to defend their country and the people who live in it. That means unfortunately Many of them suffer injuries or setbacks this could potentially change the course of her life; and when that happens, the military branches offer multiple options to help those members advance in the way they see fit. An important program that has benefited many people was the Wounded Warrior Games, launched by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in 2010. They are organized by the US Army Training and Doctrine Command. Travis Claytor is the games communications director.

“Each of the U.S. services as well as U.S. Special Operations Command have what they call this Wounded Warrior Care Program " said Claytor. He further explained that the program helps the wounded, sick or injured members recover and assist them on their recovery journey. They can help members return to active duty if they wish, or the program can help with the transition to civilian life.

"Adaptive sports is one of those programs. Adaptive sports can be part of the recovery journey for these athletes. Each service branch has an adaptive sports program that these military members participate in year-round," Claytor explained.

Travis Claytor has been the Communications Director of the Wounded Warrior Games since 2019 and is looking forward to the 2022 edition of the Games, especially given an extended absence and an upcoming milestone.

“The athletes competing are wounded, ill or injured active and veteran military personnel,” Claytor said. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 Games were canceled, but they will return in 2022. This will be the 10th edition of the competition.”

The 2022 Wounded Warrior Games will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, August 19-28.

Each service branch has its own attempts to determine participants to represent it at the Games.

“They have tryouts once a year, so anyone who is interested in this industry can come and try out a particular sport,” Claytor explained. “Typically between 40 and 50 athletes are selected from all sports.”

Examples of these sports include wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball and many more. Claytor noted that the games helped educate the public about how strong and capable these athletes can be. It also shows that not all setbacks involve something physical that happened.

"There is a misconception that wounded, sick or injured means bodily harm. Yes, there are amputees who compete and you can see physical wounds, but what many people don't know is that the overwhelming majority of athletes who compete have invisible wounds," Claytor explained. "They have traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder or even physical wounds that you can't see, like a spinal injury, that prohibits them from competing in a certain way. So there's an adaptation to this sport."

Claytor noted that despite the visible and invisible adversities these warriors have endured, the improvement of these warriors is visible and tangible thanks to the pursuit of physical excellence offered by the Wounded Warrior Games.

"Where we see recovery in real time is not the physical. It's about the mental and emotional aspects. It's the camaraderie that comes with these games and the ability to come in and compete, sure, but with and around their brothers and sisters within the armed forces."

An athlete familiar with the Wounded Warrior Games who will be returning is Matt cable. The Air Force veteran and two-time leukemia survivor first competed in the Games in 2017. After scoring seven medals at the 2022 Invictus Games earlier this year, he will be in San Antonio, Texas in mid-July to prepare for the Wounded Warrior Games.

“I’ll be busy while I’m there,” Cable joked. He will compete in several events including track and field, relays, shot put, discus, powerlifting, the 1-minute and 4-minute rowing races and more. Cable is used to competing on big stages, having competed at both the Invictus Games and the Titan Games. So nothing new for him.

"I know the events I'm going to do. So I've been training every day," Cable said. "I go into the competition making sure I have no weaknesses and am ready for anything and everything. It's just a matter of preparing my body and my mind."

While Cable has that athlete and champion mentality, it's not lost on him that the Wounded Warrior Games hold eminent importance. There is also a personal connection for him this year.

"I know how big it is and the athletes that will be there are the top athletes for any industry. It will be in Orlando, which will be nice, and I have family there. So it's very exciting."

What Claytor values ​​most about this elite competition is that it pays tribute to incredible athletes like Cable and the hundreds of others who will venture to Orlando to take part in this year's festivities and events. It also serves as a call to Americans to stand with the members we know will work to overcome adversity because of what they have done to protect freedom.

"It is important that everyone recognizes what these service members have dedicated to our country and it is critical to support them now on their recovery journey. For more information about the Wounded Warrior Games, visit www.dodwarriorgames.com. You can also follow them on Instagram @dodwarriorgames.