ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced Thursday that the National Veterans Wheelchair Games are coming to Orlando in 2018 for the first time.
Nearly 600 veterans from across the U.S. participate in the event each year, according to the website.
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Central Florida leaders said it’s the biggest wheelchair games event in the world.
The week-long event, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is held every summer. Veterans compete in 19 wheelchair-sporting events including archery, hand-cycling, power soccer, quad rugby, swimming and more.
Dyer said Orlando is the perfect choice for these games.
“We’ve become, I think, the country’s premier destination,” Dyer said. “And the wheelchair games will continue that tradition.”
Last year, Orlando hosted the second annual Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded or injured service members founded by Great Britain’s Prince Harry.
Orange County leaders said much of the games will be hosted at the Orange County Convention Center.
The 38th National Veterans Wheelchair Games will happen in Orlando from July 29 to Aug. 4, 2018.
Cincinnati will host the games this year.
Learn more about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games here.
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