Rico Roman And Paul Schaus Announced As Honorary Torchbearers For 2014 Warrior Games Presented By Deloitte

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., September 24, 2014 /3BL Media/ – U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, announced that Army veteran Rico Roman and Marine Corps veteran Paul Schaus, both members of the gold medal-winning 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team will be the honorary torchbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Two-hundred wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans will compete in the fifth annual Warrior Games.

Forwards Roman (Portland, Oregon) and Schaus (Buffalo, New York) were instrumental in helping the U.S. sled hockey team to become the first to win back-to-back Paralympic gold medals as they defeated Russia 1-0. Roman and Schaus joined with fellow veteran Josh Sweeney to form the front line dubbed “Bravo Delta.” Both Roman and Schaus were wounded by improvised explosive devices (IED) while serving in Iraq. Roman is a retired Army Staff Sergeant, while Schaus is a retired Marine Corporal.

“We’re honored to have Staff Sgt. Rico Roman and Cpl. Paul Schaus join us as the honorary torchbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Warrior Games,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “Watching these men compete as part of the Bravo Delta line in Sochi, it was evident that with the right support our wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans can not only use Paralympic sport as a means of rehabilitation, but also to lead the way for Team USA to the top of the podium.”

“It’s a huge honor for me to be selected alongside Paul to serve as the torchbearers for the Warrior Games. As a veteran myself, I know what an impact it made on my recovery to be introduced to Paralympic sports, and I’m so excited to be able to encourage the next generation of veterans and service members as they start their own Paralympic journeys.”

The competition comes on the heels of the inaugural Invictus Games, an event Prince Harry and The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge conceived after attending the 2013 Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Through the phenomenal success of the Invictus Games, and his support of the Warrior Games, Prince Harry has brought significant worldwide attention to the importance, impact and need for sustainable Paralympic-type programs in communities around the world. The partnership between the USOC and the Royal Foundation will ensure the growth of future Paralympic sport opportunities around the world. 

The 2014 Warrior Games is hosted by the USOC with support from Deloitte, the presenting sponsor, and other supporting partners including the Department of Defense, AT&T, BP, Dow, Semper Fi Fund, The Fisher House Foundation, The Daniels Fund and USO.

The Warrior Games will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 4 at venues across Colorado Springs, including: the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Fort Carson, Gary Barry Stadium and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

For more information on the 2014 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte, visit TeamUSA.org/WarriorGames/.

For any media interested in covering the competition, please register for a credential online 
Media Registration; the registration deadline is Sept. 19.