Attracting more than 500 athletes each year, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which says it is the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, will take place July 25-29, 2008 at the Qwest Center Omaha, Northwest High School, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Thunderbowl and Mockingbird Bowling facilities, and the Henry Doorly Zoo.Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), with financial assistance from corporate, civic, and veterans service organizations, the event hopes to improve the quality of life for veterans with disabilities and foster better health through sports competition.
Its Web site reports: "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 before participated in any type of organized wheelchair sports competition."
The Wheelchair Games has competitions in swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, archery, air guns, basketball, nine-ball, softball, quad rugby, bowling, handcycling, wheelchair slalom, power soccer, a motorized wheelchair rally, track and field. Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age.
