The Ukrainian national veterans' team will compete in the annual sports events for wounded servicemen and veterans of the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps.
From February 20 to March 3, Ukrainian veterans will take part in these sports competitions.
The Air Force and Marine Corps Trials are internal selection events within the U.S., the results of which form teams to participate in the Warrior Games—joint competitions for the army, navy, air force, and special operations.
Although Ukrainian athletes will not compete for spots in the Warrior Games, they are invited as an international team to expand the competition format and promote experience sharing in veteran sports. In addition to Ukraine, teams from Canada, Australia, and the UK will also participate. The Ukrainian team consists of 15 athletes competing in 11 sports.
Among the team members is veteran Valeriy Stalnichenko from Odesa, who will compete in basketball, rugby, volleyball, and archery.
The format of the Air Force and Marine Corps Trials is organized according to adaptive sports principles: all disciplines are tailored to the specific needs of injured veterans to ensure fair and safe competitions.
Each year, competitions are held at various military bases in the U.S., depending on which service branch is hosting the events. In 2024, the Ukrainian team participated in Trials in Las Vegas, marking an important milestone for our veterans' team.
During the competitions, athletes compete in the following disciplines:
- wheelchair basketball,
- wheelchair rugby,
- sitting volleyball,
- archery,
- rowing on simulators,
- athletics,
- powerlifting,
- cycling,
- swimming,
- rifle shooting — a new and particularly interesting discipline for our team.
This format of veteran sports transforms competitions into a sustainable support system that respects the experiences and strength of those who defended Ukraine.
The formation and participation of the Ukrainian team is carried out by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine in collaboration with the initiative center "Come Back Alive" in accordance with the National Strategy for the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine.