By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis – As St. Louis prepares for the arrival of the Olympic Flame this week, the city is also hosting another unique sporting event.
The 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games start Wednesday at several venues throughout the region.
Organizers say the games give athletes both a sense of camaraderie as well as enhance their physical rehabilitation.
Army veteran and St. Louis native Darrell Lee credits local medical personnel with helping him cope with his condition.
"It was truly the recreational therapists and the staff at the VA hospital out at Jefferson Barracks that really encouraged me," Lee said. "Their motto at the time was 'Life After Injury.' So I just kept pushing, and things started to come back."
Lee is hoping to win gold medals in track, the slalom and air rifle marksmanship.