Navy Veteran Competes in Second Invictus Games, Earns Bronze Medal

Carlos Valerio, a retired Navy hospital corpsman and current civilian employee at the U.S. Army Medical Logistics Command, recently competed in the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada. Despite undergoing a total gastrectomy due to gastric cancer, Valerio showcased his athleticism and resilience as part of Team U.S., which included 50 active-duty military and veterans among a field of 500 athletes from 25 countries. The Invictus Games, held from Feb. 8-16, feature adaptive sports for wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans.

Valerio, a 48-year-old cancer survivor, participated in the biathlon and wheelchair basketball events, securing a bronze medal as a member of Team Unconquered. This mixed-nation group, comprised of six Americans and two Ukrainians, became the first Unconquered team to medal at the Invictus Games. Originally slated to compete in seated volleyball, Valerio joined the basketball team when a roster issue prevented his initial plans. The team’s path to the medal rounds included a memorable last-second shot that generated significant attention and media coverage.

The 2025 event marked the first time the Invictus Games featured winter-specific adaptive sports, expanding its mission to support recovery through athletic competition. Since its inception in 2014, inspired by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Warrior Games, the Invictus Games have highlighted the importance of sports in rehabilitation and fostered broader respect for those who serve their countries.

Valerio’s journey to the Invictus Games began after he was diagnosed with stage two gastric cancer in 2017, which led to the complete removal of his stomach. Following surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and adjusting to life with an altered digestive system, Valerio embraced adaptive sports as part of his recovery. He initially participated in the Warrior Games in 2018, earning a medal in air pistol, which led to his first Invictus Games appearance in Sydney later that year.

Reflecting on his Invictus experience, Valerio emphasized that the games are not just about winning medals but about rediscovering a sense of purpose and community. The camaraderie among participants and the healing power of sport are what he values most. Valerio, who works as an operations and training specialist at Fort Detrick in Maryland, plans to continue supporting the Invictus Games and helping others find hope through the program.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.

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