DoD announces military adaptive sports athletes to compete at Millrose Games 2016
The Department of Defense announced today that six adaptive sports athletes will represent the United States military in the "Invictus Dash" feature sprint at the 109th edition of the NYRR Millrose Games in New York City on Feb. 20.
The Invictus Dash is a new event at the prominent indoor track and field meet that exclusively features active duty and retired U.S. military service members who are currently training for the upcoming international Invictus Games or Warrior Games adaptive sports competitions.
The following athletes were selected to compete in the Invictus Dash:
Staff Sgt. Robert Brown, U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Gideon Connelly, Air National Guard
Sgt. Ana Manciaz, U.S. Army veteran
Sgt. Ryan McIntosh, U.S. Army
Capt. William Reynolds (ret.), U.S. Army
Cpl. Joshua Wege (ret.), U.S. Marine Corps
In 2011, the Department of Defense created the Military Adaptive Sports Program to enhance warrior recovery by engaging wounded, ill and injured service members in ongoing, daily adaptive activities, based on their interest and ability.
The Invictus Games 2016 includes U.S. competitors as part of an over 500 athlete contingent for the second rendition of the multi-national military adaptive sports competition hosted this year at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, May 8-12.
The 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games, which is an annual sporting competition bringing together wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from across the country, will be hosted at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, June 14-22.
For more information, media may contact Maj. Ben Sakrisson at benjamin.e.sakrisson.mil@mail.mil