“It’s nice to know that I’m not alone.” Warrior Games is more than competition for servicemembers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)- Sometimes it takes more than physical therapy to recover from an injury. The Department of Defense Warrior Games are one way to help active duty and retired military in their recovery journeys by giving them sports to compete in.

The games are back in Colorado Springs for the first time in almost a decade. The games will be in here until the 26th at the Main Venue of Colorado College. 

This is the first year that Sergeant Louis Diaz has competed in the Department of Defense Warrior Games. It's been a long year for him on his path to recovery. Diaz was recovering for 10 months and said his rehabilitation was tough. 

"Last year, I was in a car accident. I broke both my legs and had internal damage," said Diaz. "I had to transition from a wheelchair to crutches and to a walker, and then finally to be able to walk again. One of the biggest challenges was running. I felt like my bones were breaking again."

Diaz is one of 200 active and retired military service members competing this week in Colorado Springs. Five service branches are being represented here at the games. The participants can compete in 11 different adaptive sports, from cycling to powerlifting to wheelchair basketball and more.

"They say they're not competitive. There's a little competition, but it is for the rehab, rehabilitation. Whether they were wounded or ill, active duty veterans. But a place to unite and be a team again," said Katie Moses Swope, public relations.

Diaz said being part of the games shows him that he has a support system.       

"Everyone's going through something here, right? So like it's nice to know that I'm not alone," said Diaz.

Next year, the Warrior Games will be in San Antonio.