Veterans, Active Duty Service Members Invited to Fourth Annual Valor Games Midwest Competition

— World Sport Chicago welcomes volunteers, spectators to attend games –

CHICAGO – June 26, 2014 – Participants at this year’s Valor Games Midwest, the fourth annual competition sponsored by World Sport Chicago, will span generations as JROTC students from Chicago Public Schools kick off the event with a flag ceremony at Soldier Field. The drum line from Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy will join the opening ceremony, as well.

The three-day, multi-sport competition – which will take place from Aug. 20 until Aug. 22 – is the only one of its kind to bring together wounded, ill or injured active duty service members and veterans to instill positive values through sports.

The Chicago Park District invites all attendees, as well as their friends, family and fans, to visit the complimentary veterans’ resource expo on opening day, Aug. 20, from 11 a.m. CT until 3 p.m. CT for various veteran support services. The expo will advise veterans in areas such as disability, education, employment, housing and mental health services.

 “Injuries can’t take the competitive drive out of a soldier. We want these athletes to push themselves to the limit and realize they can accomplish even more than what they did prior to their service,” said Scott Myers, executive director at World Sport Chicago. “This year’s competition will promote healthy lifestyles, encourage veterans to reengage with their communities and help participants develop customized athletic plans to reach new levels of fitness.”

Valor Games Midwest invites participants, spectators and volunteers to event

World Sport Chicago expects to set record attendance at this year’s Valor Games with 200 participants. Athletes will travel from all coasts of the United States to compete – and as far south as Puerto Rico. Registration for the 2014 Valor Games Midwest is open until July 25.

As in previous years, the organization will award individual medals for each event. New this year, at the closing ceremony, World Sport Chicago will present overall awards to branches of the armed forces – Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy – based on participant performance.

“Valor Games participants enjoy the friendships they build at games each year – and we believe military branch awards will make this year even more rewarding and exciting for participants,” said Stephanie Miller, Director of School-based and Paralympic programs at World Sport Chicago. “We hope this will lead to deeper camaraderie and draw even more veterans and active duty service members to this year’s games.”

Opportunity to participate in Veterans Charity Challenge

World Sport Chicago invites those who would like to raise funds for the Valor Games Midwest to participate in this year’s Veterans Charity Challenge, a fundraising campaign launched by CraigConnects.org to support non-profit organizations that honor America’s heroes.

The non-profit organization with the most donations by 10:59 a.m. on July 3 will be awarded $20,000 from Craigslist founder Craig Newmark. World Sport Chicago’s goal is to raise more than $50,000 by this date as World Sport Chicago strives to earn the $20,000 first-place donation from CraigConnects.org.

“Our nation’s veterans – especially our wounded warriors – have given so much to our country. There are more than 5.5 million veterans in the U.S. with a disability – and an estimated one-third of returning veterans suffer from mental-health conditions,” said Miller. “Studies show that disabled veterans who participate in sports report better overall health and satisfaction. Our Valor Games strengthen and empower these individuals with three days of camaraderie and sports competition.”

Please visit crowdrise.com/WSC-Valor-Games for more details and to participate. For highlights on the 2013 Valor Games Midwest – and to see the positive impact it has on veterans – view the YouTube video at the following link: http://youtu.be/oWgosQBvesI.

Schedule (All times listed in CT.)

Aug. 20:

Location: Soldier Field (Gate O), 1410 South Museum Campus Dr.

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Events: Opening ceremony; field events (shot put and discus); biathlon clinic; veterans’ resource expo

Aug. 21:

Location: United Center (South Parking Lot and Concourse), 1901 W. Madison St.

Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Events: Indoor rowing; cycling (upright bicycles, recumbent bikes, hand cycles and tandem bikes); racquetball clinic

Aug. 22:

Location: Armour Square Park, 3309 S. Shields Ave. (Chicago Park District, between 33rd St. and 34th St.)

Time: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Events: Archery; powerlifting; closing ceremony

The Valor Games Midwest is brought to you by World Sport Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Park District, U.S. Paralympics and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

For more information or to register as a volunteer or participant, visit www.valorgamesmidwest.com or contact valorgames@worldsportchicago.org or (312) 861-4848.

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 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.

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 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.