Be a Virtual Fan in the Stands as Social Media 'Web-olutionizes' Access to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games

PITTSBURGH, July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Experiencing the world's largest annual wheelchair sports event, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (Games), August 1—6, 2011, is just a mouse click away, thanks to an unprecedented effort by copresenters Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This year the public can become virtual fans in the stands by accessing a daily webcast, Wheelchair Games Web Radio, plus must-see content on Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, and YouTube.

Please visit www.pva.org/2011Games or www.wheelchairgames.va.gov for full details.

"Thanks to today's technology and availability of social media, if you aren't able to attend this year's Wheelchair Games in person, you can join us virtually and get live updates through our social media pages," said Doug Beckley, Games director, Paralyzed Veterans.

"We encourage everyone to be virtual fans in the stand. We hope everyone will take a minute to tune in and watch these athletes compete – we promise you'll be inspired," said Tom Brown, Games director for VA.

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and the Keystone Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America are hosting the 2011 Games.

Veterans at the Games will compete in 17 events: swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, archery, air guns, basketball, nine ball, softball, quad rugby, bowling, handcycling, wheelchair slalom, power soccer, a motorized wheelchair rally, track and field and trapshooting. Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age.

SOURCE Paralyzed Veterans of America