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The 130 servicemen and veterans chosen are to be a part of the
British team form the largest ever military sports team to be made
up of wounded and injured soldiers. The team is made up of 69
percent Army representatives, 23 percent Naval Service
representatives, and 8 percent Air Force representatives. Of these,
58 percent are veterans, while the remaining 42 percent are still
serving in the Armed Forces.
The team was selected after 67 days of training and nearly 500
hours of coaching. The men and women were supported by the Ministry
of Defence and Help for Heroes, as a part of their Sports Recovery
programme. The members of the final team were selected on the basis
of their commitment to training, performance, progression in the
sport and feedback from the coaches. The participants come from all
over the UK, and will now ramp up their training with a focus
on the events at the Invictus Games.
Prince
Harry, who has played an active role in organising and promoting
the Games, addressed the British team in front of London
Bridge today. “Prosthetics, dogs, wheelchairs, high-performance
cars, 4x4s, tattoos – we’ve got everything here,” he began. “It
could only be the Invictus Games.”
He went on to thank the families of the competitors, saying
that: “No one recovering from a life-changing injury could do
it alone and everyone behind me will testify to that. The
support of friends and family is vital and the games will recognise
this enormous contribution.”
The young royal also wished the servicemen and women the best of
luck for the upcoming events. “Guys and girls, I wish you all the
very best of luck in the final weeks of training,” he said. “We’ve
got four weeks left, let’s make sure we’re in tiptop condition to
beat everybody else and bring back as many medals as we possibly
can – not forgetting it’s the taking part that counts.”
The captain of the British Armed Forces team is Captain Dave
Henson, who lost his legs in 2011, in a blast in Afghanistan. He
said: “When I was injured I thought that was it, my life was over.
The confidence boost that sport gave me was huge and to be selected
as part of the British team for the Invictus Games is a huge
honour. I really hope the British public both really get behind the
Games and come and support us in person. It’s going to be a truly
inspirational event.”
“Those who will be competing in the Invictus Games have already
overcome enormous challenges and shown huge courage in the face of
the life-changing injuries they received whilst bravely serving
their country,” said the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon. “The UK
team represents the Best of British spirit and I urge people to
join me in cheering them on in a few weeks’ time.”
The Invictus Games are a
sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and
women from 14 nations across the world. They will be held
from the 10th to
the 14th of September at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the
Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London. The Games are being
organised with the support of the Ministry of Defence and The Royal
Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince
Harry.
Photo Credit: Invictus Games 2014]]>
