The cycling competition being held at Fort Carson was dominated by Special Operations, while there was also gold medal success for the Marines, Air Force, Army and the Navy.

Retired Sergeant Major Shawn Mello led the way for Special Operations, claiming gold in the men's C4 road race.

He was joined on top of the podium by open race winner, Master Sergeant Mark Vomund, Captain Ivan Castro and pilot Richard Kirby in the men's tandem, Corporal Justin Gaertner in the H5 race, while Sergeant Major David Neumer took the honours in the open handcycle race.

Retired Navy Aviation Technician 3rd Class Angel Segarra was one of a number of competitors taking part in competitive action at the Games for the first time and helped to stem the flow of gold to Special Operations.

"I handcycle recreationally, and today was [my] first time-ever competing," said Segarra, who took the win in the men's H3 event.

"I was pretty anxious on the start line and felt really nervous.

"I just told myself to just take care of number one and do my best, so I was happy to win in my class."

It was a different story for Special Operations in the sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball competitions.

On the first night of wheelchair basketball action, the Navy beat the Air Force 38-19, while the Marines overcame Special Operations 36-9.

The Marines began the wheelchair basketball competition with a win over Special Operations ©Getty Images



Jorge Salazar was one of the star men for the Marines, top-scoring with 12 points.

"By having a longer reach on everybody else, that makes for plenty of easy baskets right underneath the goal," said Salazar.

"I'm going to do that every single time, until someone can stop it."

The sitting volleyball matches saw the Marines record a 25-8, 25-20 win over the Army followed by a 25-23, 25-20 victory over the Air Force.

The Army regrouped to defeat Special Operations 26-24, 25-19, while the Navy emerged with a 17-25, 25-21, 15-12 win over the Air Force.

The Games, presented by Deloitte, will see more than 200 ill and injured service members and veterans taking part in seven sports: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball.

They are taking place at the US Olympic Training Center and the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and are due to run until Saturday (October 4).

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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