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Valor Games Midwest

 

The Chicago Park District will host the 12th Annual Valor Games Midwest in Chicago, IL on August 13-15, 2024. Valor Games Midwest is a three-day Paralympic sport competition for veterans and active duty military with physical, visual, and invisible disabilities. This is an introductory competition, no previous experience is required to participate. Athletes can compete in discus, shot put, cycling, archery, powerlifting, indoor rowing, biathlon, or table tennis. We welcome your application and appreciate your interest in participating.

As a part of Valor Games Midwest, the Chicago Park District will host a Resource Fair at Soldier Field (Gate O, inside Concourse) on Tuesday, August 13  from 11am-2pm. Veterans, active duty, and military family members are invited to connect with agencies and organizations that provide military-specific assistance in areas including education, employment, housing, legal, disabilities, mental health, and family services.  A list of resource fair vendors will be posted soon.

  

Event Schedule

  • Tuesday, August 13 at Soldier Field

    • Rowing – 9am-12pm

    • Resource Fair – 11am-2pm (Gate O, inside Concourse)

    • Field Events (Shot Put & Discuss) – 1pm-4pm
  • Wednesday, August 14 at Lincoln Park
  • Thursday, August 15 at McKinley Park Field House (2210 W. Pershing Rd.)
    • Table Tennis – 9am-11:30am
    • Biathlon – 9am – 11:30 am
    • Power Lifting – 12:30pm- 3:30pm

 

Resource Fair

  • Tuesday, August 13 from 11am-2pm
  • At Soldier Field (Gate O, inside Concourse)
  • Open to Veterans, active duty, and military family members.  Participation in Valor Games is not required to attend.
  • Participating vendors will be announced soon!


Application Process 

Apply for 2024 valor games midwest 

Important things to note about the application: 

  • All eligible athletes are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to athletes that live in the Midwest region of the United States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. However, we welcome applications from those outside of the Midwest region.
  • Applications are accepted from those who have served or are currently serving in the US Armed Forces. The time frame in which you served, the location, or cause of your injury will not preclude your application from being considered.
  • Only fully completed applications will be reviewed by the application committee. Applying to the Valor Games Midwest does not guarantee acceptance.
  • The application will close on July 12. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status on or before July 19, 2024.
  • Hotel accommodations are NOT guaranteed. Priority for hotel rooms will be for those traveling for the event and those with limited access to transportation.  
  • All rooms are double occupancy unless you are traveling with a medically necessary caregiver OR have a medical reason to not be paired with a roommate. This info must be included on your application and cannot be added at a later time.
  • Only medically necessary caregivers will be accepted. These are individuals who assist the athlete that is unable to perform their own personal care independently, as a result of a medical condition. 

Questions 

If you experience any difficulty with the online application or have any additional questions about Valor Games Midwest, please contact Veterans Programs at veterans@chicagoparkdistrict.com

 

Additional Information 

Caregiver Information

View the Caregiver Agreement here:  Caregiver Agreement

Service Animal Information

View the Service Animal Agreement here:  Service Animal Agreement

Athlete Code of Conduct

As a participant in the Valor Games Midwest (VGM), I understand that I will be representing myself, other Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Chicago Park District, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Dare2Tri, Adaptive Adventures, North Side Archery Club, Central Cross Country Skiing, US Rowing, and USA Para Powerlifting. I understand it is a privilege to be selected and to compete in VGM.   
 
I understand that if I am found in violation of the Code of Conduct, I may be immediately disqualified from the event and sent home at my own expense. Depending on the type of violation, I may be prohibited from competing in future VGM events.

In order to compete, I must agree to abide by the VGM Code of Conduct as detailed below:

  1. I will behave in a professional, courteous, and respectful manner toward fellow participants, staff, volunteers, and event spectators. 
  2. I understand that no form of abuse or harassment, whether it is verbal, physical, emotional or sexual, will be tolerated.
  3. As this is a sporting competition and VGM is committed to supporting each athlete to compete at his or her highest level, I will refrain from the consumption of alcohol or illegal substances during VGM.
  4. I will respect all property at the event, including that of my fellow Veterans. I understand that I am responsible for any damage that I cause. This includes smoking in non-smoking hotel rooms.
  5. I am responsible for all charges and use of incidentals (movies, room services, items from a mini bar) in my hotel room.
  6. I understand that I will not be reimbursed by VGM for any transportation, food, equipment or any other services purchased on my own.
  7. I will abide by the decisions of the event officials and local organizing committee.
  8. I understand that if I am late to scheduled events, I may forfeit my participation. Furthermore, if I am late to ground transportation it is my responsibility to coordinate alternative transportation to get to the competition venue at my own expense.
  9. I understand that Chicago Park District staff will not perform personal care for participants of VGM and that participants that are unable to perform their own personal care independently, as a result of a medical condition, will require a caregiver to accompany them to VGM.
  10. I will only travel with a caregiver if it is medically necessary. I understand that due to the costs associated with this event, bringing a caregiver who is not needed for activities of daily living (or ADLs), travel or competition does mean that another Veteran will not be able to attend.
  11. If I am traveling with a service animal, I understand that I am responsible for handling my service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. I understand that animals whose sole purpose is to provide emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and therefore are not permitted at VGM. 
  12. If I am not able to attend VGM, I will contact the event staff via email or phone as soon as possible. I understand that if I am approved and do not cancel my participation, that I am taking away the opportunity for another Veteran to attend, and in the future may not be eligible to participate in VMG.
FAQs

What is the Valor Games?
A three-day Paralympic Sport competition for veterans and active duty military with physical, visual, and/or invisible disabilities. This is a grassroots and introductory competition. No previous experience required.
 

What are the dates and general schedule for Valor Games Midwest (VGM) 2024?
The 2024 Valor Games Midwest will take place August 13-15, 2024. 
August 13: Registration, Resource Fair, Rowing (Indoor), Field Events (Shot put and discus)
August 14: Archery & Cycling
August 15: Table Tennis, Biathlon & Powerlifting


Where will the competitions take place?
The 2024 event will take place in various Chicago Park District locations within Chicago, IL. Tuesday, August 13th events will be held at Soldier Field. Wednesday, August 14th events will be held at Lincoln Park Archery Range and the Lincoln Park Wilson Parking lot. Thursday, August 15th events will be held at McKinley Park. 


Who is eligible to compete?

  • Service requirement: 
    Applications are accepted from those who have served or are currently serving in the US Armed Forces. The time-frame in which you served, the location, or cause of your injury will not preclude your application from being considered.
     
  • Disabilities Include: 
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
    • Amputation
    • Stroke
    • Visual Impairment or Blind
    • PTS/D
    • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
    • Burns
    • Hearing Loss
    • Spinal Cord Injury
    • Shrapnel Injury
    • Other orthopedic impairment

All athletes that are interested in competing must submit an online application by the July 12 deadline. 

Athletes must participate in one sport per day to qualify for a hotel. Hotel rooms are not guaranteed.

How do interested athletes apply?
All interested athletes are required to apply for Valor Games Midwest (VGM). The online application will be open May 2 – July 12. Only fully completed applications will be reviewed by the application committee. Applying to the VGM does not guarantee acceptance. Priority for the 2024 VGM will be given to athletes who require adaptation to participate in sports due to their disability. Priority is given to athletes who have not competed in VGM in previous years. Athletes will be notified by July 19 if they have been chosen to compete in the 2024 VGM. For more information about the application process please email the Veterans Program team at veterans@chicagoparkdistrict.com.


What sports are being offered at this year’s games?
Athletes will have the opportunity to compete in the following sports: 

  • Archery
  • Biathlon
  • Field Events (shout put and discus)
  • Powerlifting
  • Indoor Rowing 
  • Table Tennis

Athletes will also have the opportunity to take part in a cycling experience along the Chicago Lakefront Path.

Athletes must participate in one sport per day to qualify for a hotel. Hotel rooms are not guaranteed.


Where will the athletes stay?
Hotel accommodations will be provided for some athletes during the event (the nights of August 13 and 14) at Hilton Downtown Chicago Hotel (720 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL). Hotel rooms are limited and your acceptance email will let you know if it includes a hotel room stay. If an athlete prefers to stay at home in lieu of staying in the hotel that is okay as well.  We have a limited number of rooms available for Monday, August 12  for athletes traveling from more than 150 miles away from the hotel. The Chicago Park District will cover a hotel stay on Monday, August 12 for those athletes only. For local athletes (anyone traveling 149 miles or less from the Hilton Chicago) accepted with a hotel accommodation, staying at the hotel outside of August 13 and 14 is the responsibility of the athlete.


Where are the closest transportation hubs?
Transportation to Valor Games Midwest and home from the games is the responsibility of the Athlete. Funding, scheduling and purchasing is not provided by Valor Games Midwest. 

Airport: 
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Bus: 
Greyhound Bus Terminal (630 W Harrison Street)

Amtrak Train: 
Chicago Union Station (225 S Canal St)


How do I get to the competition venues each day?
Shuttle buses provided by Valor Games Midwest will transport athletes from the hotel to competition venues and back each day. On August 13, athletes are responsible for their own transportation to Soldier Field this also includes athletes that are staying at the hotel the night of August 12.  

Athletes who are not staying at the hotel will be responsible for securing their own transportation to and from the competition venues each day. Free parking will be provided at each of the venues. All venues are accessible via Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) bus, train and rideshare/taxi services.


Will meals be provided?
Valor Games Midwest will provide breakfast on the mornings of August 14 and 15 and lunch all three days of the competition. Athletes are responsible for dinner and snacks.
 

When will I hear if I have been chosen to compete?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and athletes will be notified of their acceptance status by July 19, 2024. Your notification email will include information about whether or not hotel accommodations are part of your acceptance. Applicants not initially accepted will automatically be placed on a waiting list.


What happens if I am placed on the waiting list?
If a chosen athlete is unable to attend the games, someone from the waitlist will be chosen to participate. Valor Games Midwest will notify you if a spot opens.


What will the Chicago Park District cover?
If your acceptance includes hotel accommodations: Athlete’s hotel accommodations on August 13 and 14 (and on August 12 for athletes coming from 150 miles or more from the Hilton), parking, some meals, transportation to and from competition venues and event apparel will be provided at NO COST. 


If your acceptance does not include hotel accommodations:
Parking, some meals, transportation to and from competition venues and event apparel will be provided at NO COST.

Can the athlete's family attend?
We are happy to welcome spectators for the 2024 games! However, these family members cannot stay at the hotel or use transportation provided by the Chicago Park District unless they are registered as an athlete’s medically necessary caregiver.


Can I bring a service animal?
Please see the Service Animal Information section above for further information.


Who can I contact should I have additional questions or concerns?
Please email the Veterans Programs team at veterans@chicagoparkdistrict.com