— World Sport Chicago welcomes wounded veterans, active service members and spectators to adaptive sports event —
The Valor Games Midwest, the only competition of its kind in the Midwest, will return to Chicago for its third year from Aug. 12-Aug. 14. The event brings together veterans, active duty service members and spectators throughout the region and begins with an opening ceremony at Soldier Field.
Since its birth in Chicago in 2011, the Valor Games Midwest has served as a catalyst for Valor Games competitions throughout the country. This year, the Valor Games Midwest – with new additions of the Valor Games Southeast, Valor Games Southwest and Valor Games Far West – once again brings together active duty service members and veterans with physical and visual disabilities for a three-day, multi-sport competition.
Retired Sgt. Noah Galloway will be the keynote speaker at the Valor Games Midwest opening ceremony on Aug. 12 at noon at Soldier Field. Galloway lost his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee during a 2005 deployment in Iraq.
Though this is his first time competing in the Valor Games Midwest, Galloway is a seasoned competitor. Since the injury, he has run two full marathons, climbed the Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia – one of the seven summits of the world – and participated in a range of sporting competitions, including three Tough Mudder events, two CrossFit events, three Warrior Dash events, a Spartan race and a Barbarian Challenge, both of which are known for their demanding obstacles.
“The Valor Games Midwest is an inspiration to continue my active lifestyle and continue to test my physical and mental limits,” Galloway said. “During this year’s competition, I encourage my fellow athletes and competitors to push themselves to the limit and accomplish their personal goals.”
Valor Games Midwest invites participants, spectators and volunteers to event
Through mid-July, more than 170 participants have registered for this year’s games. Registration will remain open until Aug. 1. In addition, World Sport Chicago welcomes volunteers to join these athletes and spectators for the second and third days of the competition (Aug. 13 and Aug. 14).
“This year, we were honored to see the Valor Games movement spread from Chicago to three new cities: Durham, N.C., San Jose, Calif. and San Antonio,” said Susan Katz, the director of Paralympic and Disability Sport at World Sport Chicago and a 2004 Paralympic Games gold medalist in women’s wheelchair basketball. “Over the past couple of years, the competition has inspired thousands of participants and spectators from all over the country. The Valor Games Midwest serves as a starting point for these athletes to begin a healthy lifelong journey and remain active throughout the year.”
The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Paralympics and the Chicago Park District will support this year’s event. The games begin at Soldier Field with an opening ceremony, followed by the cycling competition. The second day features the field events discus and shot put, as well as archery at the Chicago Park District’s Armour Square Park (3309 S. Shields Ave. between 33rd St. and 34th St.). The event concludes with powerlifting and indoor rowing at Armour Square Park.
Illinois Warrior Summit and Welcome Home Celebration to make second appearance at Games
Valor Games Midwest is partnering with the sixth annual Illinois Warrior Summit and Welcome Home Celebration, which offers support for military service members, veterans and their families. The event includes health care registration and exams, education and job counseling. This summit takes place alongside the first day of the Valor Games Midwest at Soldier Field on Aug. 12, from noon-5 p.m.
Approximately 5,000 eligible military personnel and their family members are expected to visit the 275 organizations – including 100 not-for-profits, 100 employers and education institutions and 25 VA service stations – exhibiting at the summit.
World Sport Chicago is partnering with the Illinois Supporting All Veterans Equally (I-SAVE) Foundation, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, State of Illinois, City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to host the Illinois Warrior Summit.
{YouTube published DreamsPlayHere on May 23, 2012
Valor Games Midwest 2011
Valor Games Midwest is an adaptive sports competition for disabled veterans and wounded, ill and injured active duty service members. Athletes participated in five sports and enjoyed the competition and camaraderie offered throughout the three day event. The Valor Games Midwest is hosted by World Sport Chicago and supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Paralympics and the Chicago Park District.}
Schedule for 3rd Annual Midwest Competition Aug. 12-14, 2013
Aug. 12:
Location: Soldier Field, 1410 South Museum Campus Dr.
Time: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Events: Opening ceremony, cycling (upright bicycles, recumbent bikes, handcycles and tandem bikes)
Information for Veterans: Sixth Annual Illinois Warrior Summit and Welcome Home Celebration
Aug. 13:
Location: Armour Square Park, 3309 S. Shields Ave. (Chicago Park District, between 33rd St. and 34th St.)
Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Events: Archery and field events (discus and shot put)
Aug. 14:
Location: Armour Square Park, 3309 S. Shields Ave. (Chicago Park District, between 33rd St. and 34th St.)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Events: Powerlifting and indoor rowing
To sign up or receive more information about this event, please visit http://www.valorgamesmidwest.com or contact valorgames@worldsportchicago.org or 312-861-4941.
ABOUT WORLD SPORT CHICAGO
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois nonprofit working to enhance the lives of Chicago’s residents through active participation in sport. The organization focuses on increasing the availability and access of athletic programming for under-served communities. WSC serves as the legacy of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is proud to be designated by the United States Olympic Committee as one of seven national Community Olympic Development Program partners and the co-founder of the Chicago Paralympic Development Program. Recognizing that important values underlie athletics, WSC supports programming in value-based athletics, coach training and establishing new sports programs. Patrick G. Ryan is chairman of the board, William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, serves as president; and Scott Myers serves as executive director. For more information, visit http://www.worldsportchicago.org.
ABOUT VETERANS AFFAIRS
The VA Paralympic Program Office is responsible for increasing awareness and sustained participation in adaptive sports among disabled Veterans. Together, VA and U.S. Paralympics, and its partner organizations, are collaborating to increase the number and quality of opportunities for physically and visually impaired Veterans to participate in physical activity within their home communities and in more advanced Paralympic sport programs at the regional and national levels.
ABOUT U.S. PARALYMPICS
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and promoting excellence in the lives of people with physical disabilities. Through education, sports programs and partnerships with community organizations, medical facilities and government agencies, U.S. Paralympics is making a difference in the lives of thousands of physically disabled people every day. Visit www.usparalympics.org to learn more about our athletes and programs.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
The Chicago Park District oversees more than 8,100 acres of parkland, 580 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 10 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, 10 bird and wildlife gardens, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling 312/742.PLAY.
The Valor Games Midwest, the only competition of its kind in the Midwest, will return to Chicago for its third year from Aug. 12-Aug. 14. The event brings together veterans, active duty service members and spectators throughout the region and begins with an opening ceremony at Soldier Field.
Since its birth in Chicago in 2011, the Valor Games Midwest has served as a catalyst for Valor Games competitions throughout the country. This year, the Valor Games Midwest – with new additions of the Valor Games Southeast, Valor Games Southwest and Valor Games Far West – once again brings together active duty service members and veterans with physical and visual disabilities for a three-day, multi-sport competition.
Retired Sgt. Noah Galloway will be the keynote speaker at the Valor Games Midwest opening ceremony on Aug. 12 at noon at Soldier Field. Galloway lost his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee during a 2005 deployment in Iraq.
Though this is his first time competing in the Valor Games Midwest, Galloway is a seasoned competitor. Since the injury, he has run two full marathons, climbed the Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia – one of the seven summits of the world – and participated in a range of sporting competitions, including three Tough Mudder events, two CrossFit events, three Warrior Dash events, a Spartan race and a Barbarian Challenge, both of which are known for their demanding obstacles.
“The Valor Games Midwest is an inspiration to continue my active lifestyle and continue to test my physical and mental limits,” Galloway said. “During this year’s competition, I encourage my fellow athletes and competitors to push themselves to the limit and accomplish their personal goals.”
Valor Games Midwest invites participants, spectators and volunteers to event
Through mid-July, more than 170 participants have registered for this year’s games. Registration will remain open until Aug. 1. In addition, World Sport Chicago welcomes volunteers to join these athletes and spectators for the second and third days of the competition (Aug. 13 and Aug. 14).
“This year, we were honored to see the Valor Games movement spread from Chicago to three new cities: Durham, N.C., San Jose, Calif. and San Antonio,” said Susan Katz, the director of Paralympic and Disability Sport at World Sport Chicago and a 2004 Paralympic Games gold medalist in women’s wheelchair basketball. “Over the past couple of years, the competition has inspired thousands of participants and spectators from all over the country. The Valor Games Midwest serves as a starting point for these athletes to begin a healthy lifelong journey and remain active throughout the year.”
The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Paralympics and the Chicago Park District will support this year’s event. The games begin at Soldier Field with an opening ceremony, followed by the cycling competition. The second day features the field events discus and shot put, as well as archery at the Chicago Park District’s Armour Square Park (3309 S. Shields Ave. between 33rd St. and 34th St.). The event concludes with powerlifting and indoor rowing at Armour Square Park.
Illinois Warrior Summit and Welcome Home Celebration to make second appearance at Games
Valor Games Midwest is partnering with the sixth annual Illinois Warrior Summit and Welcome Home Celebration, which offers support for military service members, veterans and their families. The event includes health care registration and exams, education and job counseling. This summit takes place alongside the first day of the Valor Games Midwest at Soldier Field on Aug. 12, from noon-5 p.m.
Approximately 5,000 eligible military personnel and their family members are expected to visit the 275 organizations – including 100 not-for-profits, 100 employers and education institutions and 25 VA service stations – exhibiting at the summit.
World Sport Chicago is partnering with the Illinois Supporting All Veterans Equally (I-SAVE) Foundation, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, State of Illinois, City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to host the Illinois Warrior Summit.
{YouTube published DreamsPlayHere on May 23, 2012
Valor Games Midwest 2011
Valor Games Midwest is an adaptive sports competition for disabled veterans and wounded, ill and injured active duty service members. Athletes participated in five sports and enjoyed the competition and camaraderie offered throughout the three day event. The Valor Games Midwest is hosted by World Sport Chicago and supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Paralympics and the Chicago Park District.}
Schedule for 3rd Annual Midwest Competition Aug. 12-14, 2013
Aug. 12:
Location: Soldier Field, 1410 South Museum Campus Dr.
Time: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Events: Opening ceremony, cycling (upright bicycles, recumbent bikes, handcycles and tandem bikes)
Information for Veterans: Sixth Annual Illinois Warrior Summit and Welcome Home Celebration
Aug. 13:
Location: Armour Square Park, 3309 S. Shields Ave. (Chicago Park District, between 33rd St. and 34th St.)
Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Events: Archery and field events (discus and shot put)
Aug. 14:
Location: Armour Square Park, 3309 S. Shields Ave. (Chicago Park District, between 33rd St. and 34th St.)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Events: Powerlifting and indoor rowing
To sign up or receive more information about this event, please visit http://www.valorgamesmidwest.com or contact valorgames@worldsportchicago.org or 312-861-4941.
ABOUT WORLD SPORT CHICAGO
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois nonprofit working to enhance the lives of Chicago’s residents through active participation in sport. The organization focuses on increasing the availability and access of athletic programming for under-served communities. WSC serves as the legacy of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is proud to be designated by the United States Olympic Committee as one of seven national Community Olympic Development Program partners and the co-founder of the Chicago Paralympic Development Program. Recognizing that important values underlie athletics, WSC supports programming in value-based athletics, coach training and establishing new sports programs. Patrick G. Ryan is chairman of the board, William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, serves as president; and Scott Myers serves as executive director. For more information, visit http://www.worldsportchicago.org.
ABOUT VETERANS AFFAIRS
The VA Paralympic Program Office is responsible for increasing awareness and sustained participation in adaptive sports among disabled Veterans. Together, VA and U.S. Paralympics, and its partner organizations, are collaborating to increase the number and quality of opportunities for physically and visually impaired Veterans to participate in physical activity within their home communities and in more advanced Paralympic sport programs at the regional and national levels.
ABOUT U.S. PARALYMPICS
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and promoting excellence in the lives of people with physical disabilities. Through education, sports programs and partnerships with community organizations, medical facilities and government agencies, U.S. Paralympics is making a difference in the lives of thousands of physically disabled people every day. Visit www.usparalympics.org to learn more about our athletes and programs.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
The Chicago Park District oversees more than 8,100 acres of parkland, 580 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 10 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, 10 bird and wildlife gardens, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling 312/742.PLAY.
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