There are superheroes and then there are true heroes. The men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our country and make the world a better place are the real heroes.
After serving in battle and live action, these veterans may suffer life-changing injuries. This affects them mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially. It not only impacts them, but their loved ones as well.
But they must move on. Find purpose. Find fulfillment. Find normalcy.
And it is for that reason the Invictus Games were created. The now-annual gathering of athletes wounded in battle is meant as a celebration of their sacrifice and what they can still accomplish. For the next five days at the ESPN Wide World of Sports (beginning May 8), the games will featured adaptive sports for injured and wounded service veterans and active-duty military.
“The word “Invictus,” as defined by the Invictus Games, means ‘unconquered.’ It embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded, ill and injured Service members and what these tenacious men and women can achieve, post injury.”
Prince Harry, the Prince of Wales in Great Britain, knows something about the sacrifices these men and women do for their countries, as he pursued a military career and even served some duty in Afghanistan. After attending the Warrior Games in the USA in 2013, he was inspired to do something for these veterans.
“He saw how the power of sport could help physically, psychologically, and socially,” the games’ Web site says. From there, he came up with an amazing idea to celebrate what these men and women could do and help them through the spirit of competition.
The Invictus Games was born.
This inaugural event took place in London in 2014. The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured service men and women — both active duty and veteran. The competitors of the Invictus Games are the men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect their countries.
“The 2014 Games were just the beginning of the Invictus story,” Prince Harry said on the Invictus Games Web site. “The competitors showed grit, determination and humor: an absolute refusal to be beaten or be defined by their injuries – the Invictus spirit was born. I can’t wait to see the American public supporting these inspirational men and women at the next games.”
That is inspiring and very moving to say the least.
Orlando is fortunate to be awarded such a prestigious honor to host this amazing sporting event.
The Invictus Games will have 15 nations that are invited to participate. It features more than 500 military competitors will compete in 10 sporting events. They will compete not only in the spirit of cordial competition, but also in camaraderie among the competitors and nations.
Some of the competitions at the event include: seated volleyball, track and field, aquatics, wheelchair rugby, and archery. It’s an Olympic-style athletic competition. But medaling is not as important as the message of empowerment that comes from simply competing.
In 2016, there will be 100 more athletes competing in the event and one more country than the previous games in 2014. One thing will stay the same though. The athletes will be able to represent their country in another way than doing active duty.
The chants of “USA! USA!” would not be the support they would expect in their previous lives, but here those cheers will spur them on. That could provide extra motivation for the host country’s competitors while their competing and giving it their maximum effort.
Yes, this is an athletic competition, but it is so much more than that. This event serves a purpose. It helps the veterans and active duty members start a healing process through recovery and rehabilitation.
If you are interested in going to The Invictus Games you can purchase tickets by going on their website at invictusgames2016.org.
