Invictus Games: Here’s all you need to know
This year’s edition of the Invictus Games commenced on 22nd April at The Hague in Netherlands. It will last till the end of this month. It is an international sporting event almost like the Paralympics but it is meant for the injured, wounded and sick military service personnel or who we know as war veterans. Here’s an overview of this global sporting competition.
Origin of Invictus Games
The Invictus Games originated in London in the year 2014 and has ever since been held every year. It was pioneered by Prince Harry, better known as the Duke of Sussex of the British Royal family. He was inspired by the Warrior Games (multi-sport event run by the US Department of Defence for war veterans and US military service members since 2010) that he attended in 2013. The following year, he started something similar in the United Kingdom for the nation’s war heroes.
The name ‘invictus’ means ‘unconquered’ in Latin and has been inspired by the poem ‘Invictus’ composed by the British poet William Earnest Henley in 1875. The official slogan for the Invictus Games is “much more than just sport – it captures hearts, challenges minds and changes lives.”
Who all participate in the Invictus Games?
Although it was initially meant for the war veterans of the UK, by 2022, as many as 20 countries such as Ukraine, Canada, Georgia, Romania, USA, Poland and Denmark have joined the Invictus Games.
At present, over 500 competitors participate in sports such as athletic, archery, cycling, indoor rowing, power-lifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
Who is in charge of organising the Invictus Games?
Prince Harry, who happens to be the patron of the Games had established the Invictus Games Foundation in London in 2014. Since then, this Foundation has been responsible for organising the Invictus Games once every year. It is responsible for managing competition, deciding on the rules and guidelines of the Games and branding it.
Significance of the Invictus Games
The Invictus Games is significant as it represents the fighting spirit of war veterans despite their physical injuries and emotional and psychological wounds. It symbolises their perseverance, tenacity, resilience and dedication and what they can achieve despite their trauma. Invictus Games is all about using the power of sports to help war veterans recover and rehabilitate and in general be a respectable part of the society. It’s a way to generate awareness among people to understand and support those who serve their respective countries. It is a way to lend a broader legacy of support through ongoing care and well-being, training, and employment opportunities for retired military personnel.