Among the athletes at the ongoing 2012 games in London are veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Organizers of the games say the vets raise the caliber of the competition. And injured veterans say Paralympic sports provide inspiration and the prospect of a normal, active life.

More than 4,000 athletes from 147 countries will compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, where the opening ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. ET today. The U.S. contingent of 227 athletes includes 133 men and 94 women. Of the American Paralympians, 20 are U.S. military veterans.

Wounded troops from all five military branches will compete in sports like swimming, cycling and sitting volleyball during the Third Annual Warrior Games鈥�