The Games, presented by Deloitte, for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, is also supported by the US Department of Defence, the Department of Veterans Affairs, USO, Fisher House, the Daniels Fund, AT&T, BP and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

The Warrior Games helps large numbers of armed services personnel participate in sports after they have completed their military service, and this year's competition will take place from April 30 to May 5.

The British service personnel will be funded by Help for Heroes and square off against five American armed forces teams in archery, cycling, swimming, track and field and sitting volleyball.

It is a particularly timely cooperation, as both countries wind down the war in Afghanistan, which was started over a decade ago, and with the US preparing their Paralympic teams for this summer's Games in London.

"With our athletes Britain-bound this summer for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are excited to host our friends from the UK for this exciting competition," said Scott Blackmun, chief executive of the USOC.

"The Warrior Games truly exemplify the power not just of sport, but of the human spirit.

"The USOC and our partners at the DoD and VA are committed to ensuring that physical activity programming is available at the community level for our nation's heroes to participate in sport."


Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, hailed the invitation as a sign of how close the relationship between Britain and the US remains.

"The 2012 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte is a fantastic opportunity for our wounded and injured service personnel to enjoy themselves and reap the benefits of competitive sport," he said. 

"I am delighted that British Forces will again be building on the close relationship we have with our U.S. allies.

"Sport is a powerful tool in the recovery of our people.

"Battle Back allows individuals to focus on what they can achieve, accelerating their physical, psychological and social recovery.

"I am proud to support these excellent Games."

"At a time when David Cameron has been visiting Barack Obama to further cement the UK's relationship with the US, as well as to discuss what they have called 'the next stage phase of the transition' in Afghanistan, we are delighted that Help for Heroes will support a UK team into such a high profile US event," said Bryn Parry, chief executive and co-founder of Help for Heroes.

"We know how important sport is in recovery and are delighted to have supported Battle Back since its inception in 2008.

"This is further enhanced through the Battle Back Phoenix programme which is available in the Personnel Recovery Centres for veterans.

"Our participation in the Warrior Games is significant in raising awareness of the work that takes place worldwide in supporting wounded, injured and sick service personnel, especially as we approach a busy year in sport."

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