Warrior Games to host hundreds of wounded, injured veterans for week of sports competitions

Warrior Games Department of Defense Warrior Games athletes serve as the honorary grand marshals in a celebratory welcome parade at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The athletes, joined by US Army General Paul E. Funk, and representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command and Marine Corps as well as Canada and Ukraine, took turns carrying the Warrior Games torch that will light the cauldron at Friday's opening ceremony at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the primary site of the Games. (Kent Phillips, Photographer) (Kent Phillips/Kent Phillips, photographer)

By Adam Poulisse

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — An elite competition is heading to Walt Disney World Resort beginning this weekend.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, kicks off Friday at ESPN Wide World of Sports from Friday through Aug. 28.

The Warrior Games celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran U.S. military service members as they compete in adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball and more, according to a news release.

READ: 2022 DoD Warrior Games to be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports

Warrior Games Department of Defense Warrior Games athletes serve as the honorary grand marshals in a celebratory welcome parade at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The athletes, joined by US Army General Paul E. Funk, and representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command and Marine Corps as well as Canada and Ukraine, took turns carrying the Warrior Games torch that will light the cauldron at Friday's opening ceremony at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the primary site of the Games. (Kent Phillips, Photographer) (Kent Phillips/Kent Phillips, photographer)

Around 300 athletes from across the globe representing U.S. military and ally nations will participate, including some from Central Florida.

The games officially begin with an opening ceremony at The Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports. It will be hosted by comedian Jon Stewart and feature a performance by singer-songwriter Darius Rucker. A closing ceremony will take place on Aug. 28, also hosted by Stewart and featuring a performance by rock band American Authors.

READ: Warrior Games to highlight mental, physical toughness of wounded veterans next month

On Thursday, a parade at Magic Kingdom celebrated the arrival of the Warrior Games with participating athletes carrying the torch that will light the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

READ: Disney Imagineer shares new details on upcoming Moana attraction

This browser does not support the video element.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.