Paralympic Champion Brad Snyder Named Torchbearer for Warrior Games

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, May 9. TODAY, the United States Olympic Committee announced that Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder will be the honorary torchbearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte in Colorado Springs, Colo. Approximately 260 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans will compete in the fourth annual Warrior Games utilizing facilities at both the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The competition, hosted by the USOC, is also supported by the Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, USO, Fisher House Foundation, AT&T, BP, Budweiser and the Semper Fi Fund, and will take place May 11-16, 2013.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to still be a part of something very near and dear to my heart,” said Lt. Snyder. “The Warrior Games have already had an impact on so many lives, and I am truly honored to represent the U.S. Navy/Coast Guard in broadening the event.”

The torch relay will be a brief procession that will include the passing of the torch from one athlete from each service branch to another, culminating in the hand off to Lt. Snyder, who will light the cauldron -ceremonially signaling the official start of the 2013 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte. The Opening Ceremony is at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Lt. Snyder lost his vision during a tour in Afghanistan when an IED exploded in Sept. 2011. He competed in the 2012 Warrior Games, and later that year, he went on to qualify in swimming for the London 2012 Paralympic Games where he won two gold medals and silver. Snyder won the men's 400 meter freestyle (S11) on the exact one year anniversary of his injury (Sept. 7).

“I can think of no better person than Lt. Brad Snyder to act as the honorary torch bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “Lt. Snyder truly shows that what happens here over six days in Colorado Springs can have a lasting impact on our wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. Last May, he was a competitor at the Warrior Games, less than a year after losing his sight in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. He joins us this May as a three-time medalist at the Paralympic Games.”

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x