COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Today U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, announced that Marine Corps veteran Paul Schaus and Army veteran Rico Roman 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 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Two-hundred wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans will compete in the fifth annual Warrior Games.

Forwards Schaus (Buffalo, New York)  and Roman (Portland, Oregon) 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. Schaus and Roman joined with fellow veteran Josh Sweeney to form the front line dubbed “Bravo Delta.” Both Schaus and Roman were wounded by improvised explosive devices (IED) while serving in Iraq. Schaus is a retired Marine Corporal, while Roman is a retired Army Staff Sergeant.

“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," said Roman. "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 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, visit TeamUSA.org/WarriorGames/.