- Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.
- Prince Harry brings the Games to the UK following an inspirational visit to USA Warrior Games in 2013.
- More than 300 competitors from across the world will compete in eight adaptive sports in London from 10‑14 Sep 2014.
- Jaguar Land Rover, inspired by the visionary concept, throws support behind the Games to become presenting partner.
- Financial support for the Games comes from the Royal Foundation, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Mayor of London and commercial partners.
- BBC confirmed as official broadcaster.
6 March 2014 ‑ The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, today announces that the 'Invictus Games' presented by Jaguar Land Rover, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel, will take place in London from 10‑14 September 2014.
The event is championed by Prince Harry. It will see more than 300 wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women, serving and veteran, competing in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, thanks to the Mayor of London, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. On the programme will be Athletics, Archery, Wheelchair Basketball, Road Cycling, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Rugby, Swimming, Sitting Volleyball and a driving challenge. Teams will be invited from the armed forces of 13 nations that have served alongside each other, with relative newcomers to adaptive sport joining advanced athletes in an inclusive programme.
At the heart of the Games will be the servicemen and women who will represent their nations in this first ever international Invictus Games. Captain David Henson, who hopes to compete in September, commented: "Competitive sport has made all the difference to my personal recovery and rehabilitation. For a whole international community of injured 'brothers in arms' who flat out refuse to let themselves be beaten by their injuries, the Invictus Games in London will offer a memorable, inspiring and energising experience in their journey of recovery. This is not just the story of our wounded, but of all of our servicemen and women. We will each prove, as William Ernest Henley's famous poem Invictus so aptly says: I AM the master of my fate. I AM the captain of my soul."
The word 'Invictus' means 'unconquered'. It embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and what these tenacious men and women can achieve, post injury. The Invictus Games will celebrate this through sporting achievement that recognises the sacrifice they, and others, have made.
The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, will contribute a significant grant to staging the Invictus Games. The events in September will mark the beginning of a legacy programme to support accessibility of adaptive sport and further employment opportunities for transitioning Servicemen and women leaving the Armed Forces. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, is also supporting this important cause by matching the Royal Foundation donation with £1million from the LIBOR fund.
With this strong funding base, the Organising Committee, the Royal Foundation and Ministry of Defence will be working with businesses, organisations and individuals to help secure the remainder of the necessary funds. Today, Jaguar Land Rover has pledged its support by becoming presenting partner and will explore opportunities with the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence to create innovative ways to enhance the valuable role of veterans as skilled employees, as a way of creating a lasting legacy for the Games. There will also be a driving challenge as part of the schedule of events for the participants, organised by Jaguar Land Rover.
Competitors and live audiences can look forward to enjoying the occasion in venues made famous by the London 2012 Games. These venues include the Copper Box, the Aquatic Centre and the VeloPark. Track and field disciplines will run at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
The event will also be broadcast by the BBC ‑ today confirmed as the official broadcast partner. Live coverage, highlights packages and other programming are planned around the event.
A ceremony will be held to mark the opening, involving the competitors. A closing concert is also being planned, which will represent another celebration of adaptive sport in the UK, building on the legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Organisers are also hoping to give competitors the opportunity to bring family and friends, from around the world, to share the experience.
The Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, has strong levels of support from the very top levels of the UK and London. Please see the quotes attached.
Ends
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Invictus Games quotes of support for use:
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. The Invictus Games will focus on what they can achieve post injury and celebrate their fighting spirit, through an inclusive sporting competition that recognises the sacrifice they have made. 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."
Prime Minister David Cameron commented: I'm delighted by today's launch of the Invictus Games, with strong support from their Royal Highnesses, the Government, Armed Forces and sponsors. Coming shortly after we host the NATO Summit, the Games will be a wonderful opportunity to recognise the commitment of those who serve in the United Kingdom's and our allies' Armed Forces and to pay tribute to the sacrifice of those who are wounded or injured.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: "I am pleased that we have been able to support the very first Invictus Games in London using the LIBOR fund. We're using money raised from fines on those who demonstrated the very worst of values to support the very best of values ‑ injured service personnel from around the world. This landmark event will be a real inspiration for future generations."
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "It is a privilege that this year the UK will host the first Invictus Games for wounded, injured and sick personneland veterans from across the world. We know how important physical activity is to aid and assist recovery, which is why in the UK we have developed Battle Back, a world‑class rehabilitation and recovery programme for our wounded personnel. This programme is not only changing lives but producing world‑class athletes. I hope these Games will allow us to showcase their achievements and inspire future generations to realise their full potential."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson commented: "In the summer of 2012 London hosted the greatest sporting spectacle on earth, an Olympic and Paralympic Games full of tears and courage, inspiration and determination, and grit and sheer guts. As a city it's those values we hold dear and that's why London is immensely proud to play host to the 2014 Invictus Games. I'm delighted that the Servicemen and women of our Armed Forces and our allies will be able to compete in those same venues, in what promises to be an incredible week of sporting competition."
"Jaguar Land Rover is immensely proud to be enabling these Invictus Games. We have been inspired by the passion with which Prince Harry has championed this visionary idea, to celebrate the commitment and achievements of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel," said Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover. "In addition, we're exploring with the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence innovative ways of enhancing their employment prospects and those of other Service personnel when moving into civilian life, to create a lasting legacy from the Games."
Sir Keith Mills, chair of the Organising Committee appointed to oversee the event, said: "Prince Harry, The Royal Foundation, the Ministry of Defence, the Mayor of London, the venues, Jaguar Land Rover and the BBC have all worked tirelessly to get us to the start line and I am thrilled that we are now able to announce the details of the Games today. The Invictus Games is going to be one of the major highlights of 2014 and a real inspiration to many around the world."
