Planning has already begun for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games that will be held in Pittsburgh in August 2011.

Billed as the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, it is expected to draw more than 500 athletes and thousands of others to the Steel City.

The logistical planning for such a large undertaking "takes a couple of years," said William Leuthold, coordinator of the games in which military service veterans who use wheelchairs compete in 17 sports like basketball, swimming, and track and field.

"It's a major event. Our organizational chart has 53 committees on it."

From Aug. 1-6, 2011, Pittsburgh will be host for the 31st installment of the annual event for veterans who use wheelchairs because of spinal cord injuries, amputations or certain neurological problems. The theme will be "Where Heroes Become Legends" and the colors will be -- natch -- black and gold.

The 18th annual event was here in 1998, when 539 wheelchair athletes competed and the theme was "Triumph at Three Rivers."

"It was a huge success in '98," Mr. Leuthold said. "The athletes are still talking about Pittsburgh."

This year's event -- "Games With a Heart a Mile High" -- will be held in Denver.

The games are co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America with financial assistance from corporate, civic and veterans' service organizations. VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and the Keystone Paralyzed Veterans of America are the designated co-hosts of the Pittsburgh event.

"It's good for the city," said Mr. Leuthold. "Several thousand people will be coming in -- the athletes, officials, family members, members of the PVA, the VA central office staff."

Among the logistical challenges of holding the games is securing venues for the competition and lodging and transportation for the athletes and others involved in putting on the games.

Thus far, it appears that about three-fourths of the events will take place in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, with the University of Pittsburgh's Trees Hall swimming pool the setting for swimming; Princess Lanes Bowling Center, Whitehall, the scene for bowling; the Clairton Sportsmen's Club the site for trap shooting and possibly Fox Chapel High School the location for track and field events, Mr. Leuthold said.

Other events include air guns, archery, basketball, nine-ball, bowling, handcycling, motorized wheelchair rally, quad rugby, wheelchair slalom, power soccer, table tennis, weightlifting and softball. There will also be at least one exhibition event.

In addition to the athletic competitions, there will be entertainment events like a block party with bands, Mr. Leuthold said.

"And everything is free," he noted. "We encourage the public's participation as spectators as well as volunteers."

A major undertaking now under way is securing more than 2,000 volunteers who are needed to work at athletic events, set up equipment and help with registration, transportation, athlete meals and other duties. Those wishing to volunteer should contact Karen Cinnamon in the Games Volunteer Office at 412-822-3096.

The local organizing group is responsible for raising about $300,000, according to a fact sheet for the 2011 games. Monetary donations should be sent to the Keystone Paralyzed Veterans of America, Attention: Vice President James Riemer, 1113 Main St., Pittsburgh 15215.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.