Invictus Games

The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event that was established in 2014 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, with the aim of providing a platform for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and veterans to showcase their resilience and determination. The name "Invictus" is derived from Latin, meaning "unconquered," symbolizing the indomitable spirit of the participating athletes.

The Games were founded after Prince Harry's visit to the Warrior Games in the United States in 2013, where he witnessed the transformative power of sports in the recovery of wounded servicemen and women. The inaugural Invictus Games took place in London in 2014, bringing together over 400 competitors from 13 nations, including Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States. Since then, the Games have been held in various locations, including Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, and The Hague, with each edition attracting a growing number of participants and nations.

The Invictus Games are not just about high-performance sports or winning medals; they are primarily designed to support the recovery and rehabilitation of the competitors. The Games use a more subjective approach to categorization, enabling wider participation and ensuring that individuals are not disadvantaged by their impairments. The system is based on the functional impact of a person's impairment on sports performance, rather than their medical diagnosis.

The Invictus Games Foundation, the governing body of the Games, works alongside partners and organizations to promote sport inclusivity and respect for those who have served. The Foundation is also a founding partner of WeThe15, a human rights movement aimed at ending discrimination against the 1.2 billion persons with disabilities worldwide.

The Invictus Games have a profound impact on the lives of the competitors, providing them with a sense of purpose, community, and recovery. The Games have also inspired the creation of We Are Invictus, a free platform for international wounded, injured, and sick armed forces personnel, serving or veteran, which offers opportunities for recovery through sports, esports, adventurous challenges, employment, volunteering, speaking opportunities, and more.