The Warrior Games is an annual Paralympic-style competition for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans that is organised by US Paralympics, the Paralympic division of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

This year the fourth Warrior Games is due to take place from May 11 until 16, utilising venues at the US Olympic Training Centre and U.S. Air Force Academy while it will feature approximately 260 athletes from all of the branches of the US Armed Forces, as well as a team from the United Kingdom.

Prince Harry has long been a supporter of the event and last year met some of the top competitors from the 2012 Warrior Games following the conclusion of the event at a reception on May 7 at the British Ambassador's residence in Washington.

However, this year will mark the first time that the 28-year-old, who serves in the British Army, will attend the Warrior Games in person since the event was launched in 2010.

"Prince Harry wants to highlight once again the extraordinary commitment and sacrifice of our injured servicemen and women," said his private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.


Charlie Huebner, USOC chief of Paralympics, welcomed the announcement.

"We are excited that Prince Harry will be attending the fourth annual Warrior Games presented by Deloitte," he said.

"The United States Olympic Committee and the Royal Foundation have been working together since last year on our shared mission to develop sustainable community programmes in both the US and the UK for people with physical disabilities, including our wounded veterans and service members.

"Prince Harry is personally committed to help expand these programmes and we are honoured to have him participate in the event."

Prince Harry will be giving particular support to the British armed forces volunteers, who will be competing at the Warrior Games for the second time having made their debut last year.

His attendance comes after United States First Lady Michelle Obama attended the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Warrior Games.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories:
March 2013: US Paralympics searches for volunteers for 2013 Warrior Games
December 2012: Warrior Games details for 2013 announced by USOC and Deloitte
May 2012: Michelle Obama helps open 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs
April 2012: Prince Harry to meet 2012 Warrior Games competitors in Washington
April 2012: British troops invited to take part in Warrior Games