THE
INVICTUS
GAMES
G'day folks,
Welcome to some background on a very admirable sporting event that just took place in Canada.
The third Invictus Games took place in Toronto, Canada from 23 – 30 September 2017. These Games brought together more than 550 competitors from 17 nations for 8 days of fierce competition. As well as countries who participated in the 2014 and 2016 Invictus Games, Ukraine and Romania took part in their first ever Invictus Games. All competitors were joined by other 1,000 of their families and friends to recognise the vital role they play on a competitor’s recovery journey.
Competitors took part in 12 adaptive sports including archery, athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair rugby and new to the Games, golf. All competitions took place in state-of-the-art sport venues throughout Toronto and were packed with thousands of cheering fans. There was also a driving challenge by Invictus Games Toronto 2017 Presenting Partner Jaguar Land Rover.
“There were so many incredible moments. One competitor gave his gold medal to the family of a fallen comrade. The men and women who helped their fellow competitors across the finish line, and the children who ran to their parent on the podium. All of these incredible moments have changed Canada and the way we think about wounded warriors. The Games have united us in a positive and very powerful way.”
Michael Burns, CEO Invictus Games Toronto 2017
"Let
me issue you a challenge," he said. "Don't just move on from these
games with happy memories. Instead, make an Invictus goal for yourselves."
'It doesn't matter how big or small your step is'
"Let
the examples of service and resilience that you have seen inspire you to take
action to improve something big or small, in your life, for your family or in
your community," the prince said. "It doesn't matter how big or
small your step is — just take it."
Harry
also recounted some of the Games' most memorable moments, which
included Team Georgia, who'd never played the game of sitting volleyball
three years ago, battle their way to the gold medal. They also saw competitors
from Ukraine, Denmark, Romania and the U.S. band together to form Team Unconquered
to win a sitting volleyball game with teammates they'd just met.
Earlier
in the evening, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife, Sophie
Gregoire Trudeau, handed out participation medals to competitors on the
arena stage before the start of the ceremony.
"Thank
you from the bottom of our hearts," she said, taking the stage. "As a
mother, I can barely begin to understand how you managed to overcome what you
have seen or experienced but when we come together as human beings, our
resilience can make everything possible."
'A great investment in humanity'
Gregoire
Trudeau sat beside Prince Harry, who earlier presented a medallion to each team
captain after the 17-country parade of nations. Harry's girlfriend, Meghan
Markle, watched the proceedings from a private box.
Clancy's comment: Wow! Love ya work, Harry. Love ya work!
I'm ...
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