The second annual Warrior Games presented by Deloitte recently wrapped up at the US Olympic Training Centre in Colorado Springs.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and our partners, the Department of Defence, USO, Fisher House Foundation, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, BP and Budweiser all had a hand in making the event a complete success.

My favourite question continues to be what do you remember from this year's Games?

I remember this:

One-hundred and ninety-eight members of our Armed Forces, all with different physical disabilities, illnesses or injuries; all of them pursuing a successful rehabilitation and return to active duty or a productive life outside the military.

I remember humble Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta (pictured), a Medal of Honour recipient, spending time with those 198 injured competitors and all the while remembering those he served with and his unit.


I remember General James F. Amos, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and his wife Bonnie.

He came to the event directly from Afghanistan, with a quick half-day stop in Washington, DC, to support the Marine Corps team.

I remember continual appearances by General Martin Dempsey, Admiral James Winnefeld, General William Shelton, General Michael Gould, Vice Admiral Kevin McCoy, General Gary Cheek and General Darryl Williams to name but a few.

They were all motivating, challenging and encouraging.

They were all there - leading.

It was Incredible.

And I remember hearing about a competitor finishing the last two kilometres of a bike ride, after breaking the chain on his hand cycle, by pushing himself forward, with his hands on the concrete.

There was a tremendous show of support and encouragement that all competitors showed this young man.


He also received a standing ovation at the Closing Ceremony.

The Paralympic Movement began more than 60 years ago to assist young men and women that served their nations in the military.

The Warrior Games provide a reminder, not just about those who serve, but about the power of sport.

The power of sport to help people excel.

The power of sport to heal.

The power of sport to inspire.

The success of the Warrior Games is not just the five days at the US Olympic Training Centre in Colorado Springs.

More importantly, the success of the Warrior Games is the energy and leadership that competitors, staff and generals take back to their communities and installations, to ensure that physical activity opportunities are available for people with physical disabilities in their own communities so that kids with physical disabilities and injured members of our Armed Forces can also excel, inspire and dream.

Charlie Huebner is Chief of Paralympics at the United States Olympic Committee