Warrior Games camp prepares Air Force team

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Veronica Ward
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Athletes representing the Air Force during this year's Warrior Games participated in a weeklong training camp here April 14 to 20.

The Warrior Games, held May 11 to 16 at the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Olympic Training Center, are a sport competition for ill and injured service members and veterans.

This year marks the largest number of wounded warriors - 50 -- the Air Force team has ever had participating in the games, said Cami Stock, the assistant head coach of the team.

Athletes will compete in cycling, shooting, sitting-volleyball, swimming, archery, wheelchair volleyball, and track and field.

Team members come from all over the United States with different injuries and limitations, said Marsha Gonzales, the deputy chief of the Air Force Personnel Center's Warrior and Survivor Care Division at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. They also have a recovery team on hand for each member participating in the Warrior Games.

"We have varied team numbers, depending on the sport, as well as alternates, and all participate in the camp," Stock said. "Coaches are out here from 6:30 a.m., until 6 p.m., preparing."

Coaches and athletes have been in communication with each other since January's selection camp, said Warrior Games cycling coach Maj. Jonathan Mason.

"For the cycling team, selection camp was a time to make bike selections based on injuries and classification," Mason said. "Since then, the athletes have received nutrition and cycling information, and have been riding 20 to 30 miles at a time, three times a week. We want to prepare them for a longer ride than the actual race in practice."

Athletes have also been given information on strength training, Stock said.

While the official Warrior Games schedule has not been released, the games are scheduled to kick off May 11. Competitions are open to the public, but opening and closing ceremonies are by invitation only.

For more information, visit the Warrior Games website. (Courtesy of Air Force News Service)