National Veterans Wheelchair Games coming to New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — Military veterans in wheelchairs from all over the country will be competing in the 43rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans from July 25 to 30.

These games aim to help to inspire and aid veterans in their rehabilitation through active sports.

“We are expecting 589 veterans in wheelchairs into the city,” Christina Bordelon, Local Chair for the 43rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games said.

The annual event last came to New Orleans in 1990.

“Back in 1990, we hosted it at the Reilly Center at Tulane University,” she said.

Now, the games will primarily be hosted at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Other sites to host events will be the National World War II Museum, City Park, the Alario Center and Crossgates Athletic Club in Slidell.

A few of the 23 competitions planned for the event include wheelchair softball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.

Bordelon said all the veterans are trained by coaches at their VA hospitals.

“They aren’t necessarily athletes, but they have been training. Some have been training for years,” she said.

The veterans will win gold, silver and bronze medals based on their performance.

“They’re all coming for the gold,” she said.

The games are only open to the public if you volunteer. According to Bordelon, the event needs 3,500 volunteers “to help make it successful.”

These veterans are showing the same grit and grind they have in fighting for our country.

“These veterans show their stuff,” she said.

Opening ceremonies will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 25, with Governor Jeff Landry and Senator Bill Cassidy expected to attend.

Visit the Wheelchair Games website to register for volunteering.

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