<![CDATA[“I’m like a proud dad,” Prince Harry said on Sunday
evening as he presented Invictus Games
competitors with the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports
Personality of the Year show.
Over 30 competitors from the Invictus Games joined Harry on the
stage Glasgow’s SSE Hydro arena.
The Helen Rollason award is in memory of the BBC presenter who died
in 1999 at the age of 43 after suffering from cancer.It is awarded
for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.
“These men and women will no longer be defined by their injuries.
Their stories move, humble and captivate us. We should not
underestimate the power of sport, that changes life. All of those
who complete in the Invictus Games have achieved so much just to
make it to the starting line-up,” Harry commented to the over 12,00
attending the show.
Captain of the UK team, Dave Henson accepted
the award on behalf of those who took part in the London event.
“To use the phrase ‘blown away’ is inappropriate but we were,”
Henson said to the crowd.
“We expected Aldershot but we were given the Olympic Stadium. It’s
absolutely overwhelming. To be recognised formally with the Helen
Rollason Award is the icing on the cake of our Invictus Games
adventure,” Henson added.
“Their achievements this year at the Invictus Games have been
inspirational and they all deserve to be recognised with the Helen
Rollason Award,” Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport
commented.
The Invictus Games were organised
with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of
Defence. The event featured nine adaptive sports at Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
The Invictus Games are
looking for a host for the Spring of 2016, with the whole of
2015 being dedicated to finding the funds for another large-scale
event, as well as fine-tuning plans. 2017 will see another games in
the summer.
Photo Credit: Invictus Games 2014]]>
