US TV show tells story of disabled Georgian soldier
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A disabled Georgian soldier is the focus of a program broadcast on a leading American television channel ahead of Georgia’s participation in this year’s annual international sports competition for wounded service men and women.
A television crew from ESPN travelled to Georgia on Wednesday to film a special feature about Corporal Guladi Todua, a member of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) I Infantry Brigade.
The reporters visited the Ministry of Defence of Georgia to interview Todua, who was wounded on August 8, 2008 during Russia’s brief but violent war with Georgia.
ESPN will air Todua's story during the 2016 Invictus Games in Florida, United States. Photo from the Ministry of Defence of Georgia/Facebook.
The visiting television crew will also film Corporal Todua with his family, and at training sessions in preparation for the 2016 Invictus Games.
The Invictus Games are an international Adaptive Sports event that aims to contribute to recovery and rehabilitation of wounded and disabled service members from around the world.
Beginning in Florida, United States (US) on May 8, the five-day competition will see injured servicemen and women compete in a range of sports. ESPN will broadcast its feature on Todua during the competition.
Undaunted by the loss of his leg which was amputated after his injury, Todua joined the GAF Wounded Soldiers' Rehabilitation Program and is now an active competitor in several sports.
The Invictus Games competition was established in 2014 by Prince Harry. Photo from Invictus Games/Facebook.
The 2016 Invictus Games will be his second after he took part in archery, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing at the 2014 competition in London.
The Georgian team of disabled service members will feature Corporal Todua and 13 other participants. The Games were founded by Prince Harry of the United Kingdom in 2014.
The Games are expected to feature over 500 participants from 15 countries including Australia, France, Georgia, the UK, US and Germany.
The athletes will participate in 10 sporting events: Archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
The May 8-12 competition will be held at Florida's ESPNWide World of Sports complex.
The full competition schedule can be found here.
See highlights from the inaugural 2014 Invictus Games in London below:
Georgian wounded warriors are celebrating after winning 16 medals at the international competition Wounded Warriors Regiment held in the United States (US).
Georgia's wounded warriors will be provided with the highest quality of mental healthcare offered by the United States (US).
A running race in support of Georgia’s wounded warriors participating in the Invictus Games – a sporting competition for wounded servicemen and women – was held at Tbilisi’s Lisi Lake today.
Georgian warriors wounded in the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 and other international operations are taking part in an international competition specifically for wounded servicemen and women from all over the globe.
The Invictus Games 2016 are coming to an end but already Georgia has won two well-deserved medals at the prestigious competition for injured servicemen and women.
Georgian service members injured during combat or peacekeeping operations are competing with counterparts from 16 other nations within the Invictus Games international competition held under the patronage of Prince Harry.
A team from Georgia, consisted of service members injured during combat or peacekeeping operations, have won the Invictus Games gold medal in sitting volleyball.