The shrapnel from a roadside bomb in Iraq mangled the left leg of Army Capt. Will Reynolds in 2004 and ended his career as an infantry leader, but later this spring, Reynolds, now medically retired, will lead U.S. service members and vets into a much different, uplifting contest.

In May, the new international athletic competition for wounded warriors will, for the first time, be held in the country that inspired it. The team representing the U.S. was announced last week, and Reynolds will compete in multiple events and serve as captain.

The second Invictus Games will be held in Orlando, Florida, May 8-12, two years after the inaugural 2014 games in London. Prince Harry of Wales, who spent a decade in the British army, started the event after the Colorado Warrior Games in 2013 inspired him to create an international version.

Reynolds said the inspirational nature of Warrior Games and other sports events for disabled service members offers not only goals and motivation for the competitors, but also for many more service members who simply watch.

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Image courtesy of Army Times, Mike Morones/Staff