The US Department of Defense has cancelled the 2021 DoD Warrior Games, citing concerns over the COVID-19 Delta variant as its reason.
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, who is also the Warrior Games’ executive agent, headed the decision for the cancellation. She called it “unfortunate,” but explained that the first priority is always “the health and welfare of everyone involved.”
“The entire DoD understands the importance of the Warrior Games to the athletes and their families, as part of their recovery process, which makes this decision even more difficult,” she said. “The Games are an important event for the DoD community. We look forward to resuming them next year if public health conditions permit.”
The 2021 DoD Warrior Games
The 20201 edition of the annual DoD Warrior Games was supposed to take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, Orlando, from September 12 to 22. This year would have marked the program’s 11th anniversary.
The DOD Warrior Games is a yearly sporting event in which wounded, injured, or ill service personnel, as well as veterans participate.
The Games include various sports like archery, cycling, sitting basketball, swimming, and wheelchair basketball.
The event is expected to resume next year.