Wheelchair Games 2026

“I definitely would like to go again.”

Cody Smith competed in his second WheelchairGames this year.

“Everybody’s pulling for one another to do theirvery best,” he says. “That’s the coolest part about it.”

That energy helped Smith dig deep during the adaptive fitness event, when, about halfway through, he felt like he was going to be sick. “I don’t know if I would have dug down that deep without all these people cheering,” he said. He went on to win gold in his division.

Smith also won gold in wheelchair slalom, one of his favorite events. That finish qualified him for Super G, a more extended and more complex version of slalom.

When he competed last year, the crowd's roar distracted him. This year, he prepared differently. In the hours leading up to the event, he listened to music to stay calm, including Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing”— a refrain he kept repeating in his head. Smith notched the third-fastest time. Next year, he hopes to be even faster.

While Smith enjoys competing, what he appreciates most is the spirit of the Games. “People are connectingwith each other and growing with each other,” he says. “It brings the best out of me.”

To Veterans who haven’t competed before, Smith offers his advice: “Get over the fear of the unknown and just try it. You won’t have any regrets.”

The next Wheelchair Games will takeplace in Detroit from July 9 to 14, 2026.