What are the Invictus Games and why did Prince Harry found it?

THE return of the Invictus Games is fast approaching.

Here we take a look at the history of the international multi-sport event, Prince Harry’s involvement and where the Games will be held next.

What are the Invictus Games?

The Invictus Games use competitive adaptive sport to aid recovery for international wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.

The Games should run over approximately one week, for up to 550 competitors, with the nine core sports and flexibility for additional activities and competitions, including esports.

Sporting events at the Games include wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and indoor rowing.

In 2023, 21 countries including Israel, Colombia and Nigeria will take part in the tournament – which will also see Rita Ora sing at the closing ceremony.

The first ever Invictus Games took place in March 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

What is Prince Harry’s involvement in the Invictus Games?

Prince Harry created the Games after he was inspired following a visit to the US Warrior Games in 2013 – a similar sporting event for injured service personnel.

At the time of launching the Games, Prince Harry said: “I have witnessed first-hand how the power of sport can positively impact the lives of wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women in their journey of recovery.

“I am extremely proud that we are bringing an event like this to the UK for the first time and believe it can have a long lasting impact on the well-being of those who have served their nations so bravely.”

Where is the Invictus Games 2023?

This year, the sixth version of the Invictus Games will be held for the first time in Düsseldorf, Germany, and is set to take place on Saturday, September 9 – where the opening ceremony will set off an exciting week in the sports world.

The huge event, hosted at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, will conclude a week later on Saturday, September 16.

The city, together with the German Armed Forces, will welcome around 500 competitors from 21 nations – as well as family members and friends to compete in ten disciplines.

The games have previously been held in London 2014, Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018 and the Netherlands 2022.