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Southern Colorado Veterans roll into Detroit for the annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games

PRESS RELEASE

July 9, 2026

Detroit, MI - This July, veterans across the country will arrive in Detroit to participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games – an annual adaptive sports competition co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

Four veterans from the southern Colorado region will participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) event, July 9–14. 

Name    Bib #*    Age    City    State    Facility    Service Branch
Linel Boston    200    45    Colorado Springs    CO    VA Eastern Colorado    Army
Erin Cavit    334    69    Lake City    CO    VA Eastern Colorado    Air Force
Todd Costa    792    65    Colorado Springs    CO    VA Eastern Colorado    Army
David Pettigrew    399    49    Colorado Springs    CO    VA Eastern Colorado    Army

The five-day event, with its focus on demonstrating the unstoppable character of veterans, offers competitors the opportunity to showcase their talents through events such as basketball, softball and wheelchair rugby. Approximately 500 veterans from across the country are expected to participate and will be supported by around 3,000 volunteers and sponsors. 

 

“The Wheelchair Games epitomizes the strength, courage, and determination of our veterans.” Said Dave Tostenrude, Director of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. “I’m excited for them to have this impactful experience as part of their health care journey.” 

The first Wheelchair Games were held in 1981. For 45 years, the event has empowered veterans to live more independent and active lives through adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation. World-class instructors and recreation therapists help veterans experience the full potential of rehabilitation and sports medicine as a tool to adapt and overcome perceived barriers in our communities, travel and in life beyond the perception of “disability”. 

To view content from the event, follow and tag @Sports4Vets on X, Instagram, and Facebook and search #wheelchairgames. B-roll video and photos will be available during the event at https://www.flickr.com/photos/veteransaffairs/albums/with/72177720326323748.

*Photos will be updated each day of the event, beginning July 10 and can be searched by bib number at https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/MI/Detroit/USNationalVeteransWheelchairGames.

For more information or to request an interview contact damian.mcgee@va.gov or call .

Media contacts

Nick Sanchez, Acting Public Affairs Officer

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