Daily Newsletters (pdf format)
Fact Sheet
What: A multi-event sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations, or certain neurological problems. Attracting more than 500 athletes each year, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games are the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world.
Where: Events will take place at
different venues in Minneapolis, Minn. ( Minneapolis Convention
Center, University of Minnesota Aquatic Center, Brunswick Bowl,
Como Park and other area venues.)
When: June 27-July 1, 2005
Why: The sponsors of this event are committed to improving the quality of life of veterans with disabilities and fostering better health through sports competition. While past Games have produced a number of national and world-class champions, the Games also provide opportunities for newly disabled veterans to gain sports skills and be exposed to other wheelchair athletes. Usually, one quarter of the competitors have never participated in any type of organized wheelchair sports competition.
Sponsors: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America ( PVA ), with financial assistance from corporate, civic, and veterans service organizations.
Hosts: The Minneapolis VA Medical Center & Minnesota Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America
Events: Competitive events include
swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, archery, air guns, basketball,
softball, quad rugby, bowling, handcycling, wheelchair slalom, power
soccer, a motorized wheelchair rally, 9-ball, track and field. Track
events include 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 and 5000-meter races, plus
a special 220-meter race for power wheelchairs. Field events include
club throw, shot put, discus, and javelin. Athletes compete in all
events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive
experience or age. Trap shooting, quad power relay and golf are
exhibition events this year.
Admission: Free. The public is most welcome.
Information: Sharon Skoblik, Minneapolis VA Medical Center (612) 467-5273
Media: Kim Byers, VA Public Affairs (734)
761-7824
Contacts: Bob Ensinger, PVA Communications (202) 416-7681
Sharyl Schaepe, VA Media Support Co-Chair (402) 484-3225
De Anne Pavel, VA Media Support Co-Chair (612) 725-2102
Volunteer Opportunities -
Click here for More Information.
Contact the Webmaster
with questions, comments or concerns about this site.
This page was last Reviewed/Modified
on:
|