What a week. What an Invictus Games! 

Over seven remarkable days, the international veteran community once again shone a spotlight on the power of sport to inspire recovery and support the rehabilitation of our wounded, injured and ill veterans. 500 tenacious competitors from around the world showed us what is possible, post-injury.

At the Closing Ceremony, Patron & Founder of the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry reminded us that ‘mindset is everything’ and reiterated a quote we’ve been hearing all week here in The Hague – ‘The wound is the place that light enters’. It was impossible not to feel uplifted as these incredible fifth Invictus Games came to an end. 

Plus, the announcement we’ve all been waiting for – the 2025 host city has been revealed!

The last day of the Games also brought us fierce competition on the cycling courses. Check out all the details below.

adaptive cycling = joy for the team

Today saw Australia’s 12-strong cycling crew contest both the time trial and criterium cycling events.

Racing began with the time trial event, as competitors raced against the clock on a 2.5km track. The criterium event followed, with competitors racing for 20 minutes plus one lap, with the first rider across the line being the winner.

Watch the inspiring cycling wrap up video here.

For Kerrie Tessier, she is simply thrilled to be here, after reinjuring her collarbone and sternum, forcing her to leave the Army.

Through the ADF Adaptive Sports Program, she was reintroduced to cycling with a recumbent bike. 

“I thought I’d lost it when I had my shoulder injury and wasn’t really able to get on a normal bike, so just being able to get back out there and ride my bike without pain gives me so much joy even without competing.

“For me, I’m really looking forward to seeing people being able to flourish and succeed with the adaptations that they’ve put in place,” she said.

Words: thanks to Defence News

The world won today in the Basketball final  

As we heard in the stands today, ‘We are not here competing against each other, we are here competing alongside one another’. 

This sentiment of camaraderie shone through today in the Gold Medal match for the Wheelchair basketball. Team USA won the match, but the crowd, teams, dignitaries, family & friends won the day, coming together around sport, respect and friendship. 

Particularly moving was the inclusion of injured member of Team Netherlands, former Marine Jelle van Der Steen who was operated on last week. He was brought specially to be able to support his teammates during the Wheelchair Basketball. 

Yet another memorable Invictus moment etched in our hearts and minds.

closing ceremony

What a spectacular finale to celebrate all the moments of resilience, courage, sportsmanship and camaraderie witnessed during the Invictus Games The Hague.

Commandant der Strijdkrachten Onno Eichelsheim addressed the crowd, with a closing speech by Founder and Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex.

The Duke assured the competitors that they don’t stand alone. “We are here with you. We don’t talk about what’s wrong with you, but what happened to you. Bottle the memory and feeling of this week. You have done it. You made your goals, made your family happy. And you leave stronger than you arrived.”

c u in duss!

In just over 400 days we’ll be doing this all again! The Invictus Games flag was handed over to a member of Team Germany, signifying that the next Games takes place 9th – 16th September, 2023 in Düsseldorf Germany.

“The German Games look set to provide a fantastic experience for the competitors, and their Friends and Family. Taking the Invictus Games to Düsseldorf will allow the German hosts and the competitors to continue to inspire those watching or attending, and build respect for serving personnel or veterans with wounds, injuries or illnesses.”

Sir Keith Mills, former Chairman of the Invictus Games Foundation

For all the details of Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023, visit the website.

Table Tennis is joining the stable of sports for Dussledorf, with Prince Harry, the Patron of the Invictus Games, playing the first match with players from Germany at the Invictus Games in The Hague.

and the winner is …

The crowd held their breath as The Duke of Sussex announced that Canada has been awarded the Invictus Games 2025! The Games will take place in Vancouver and Whistler, and be the first to incorporate winter adaptive sports, alongside some of the core sports from previous Invictus Games.

But Prince Harry assured us, “Don’t worry, we will still have many of the core sports of the Invictus Games that you know and love, they will just be a little cooler.”

He finished with, “Invictus is heading back to North America. This is a very, very good thing.”

are you a veteran?

• Find your own Invictus tribe in your local community. Get in touch here or check out our local Facebook pages in NSW South Coast and Northern NSW. We will be adding more communities as we expand, but in the meantime, we can plug you into our national network of sporting communities. 
• Expressions of interest have closed for Düsseldorf 2023, but if you would like to find out more about applying for the Invictus Games in Canada in 2025 keep, an eye on our social media pages as we will announce the next round of EOIs. If you have any questions about how to apply for the games or the process get in touch here.

keen to support our veterans?

– Do you want to be part of our family of corporate sponsors, who enable us to do this important work? We’d love to hear from you here!

– Support ZERO600: Düsseldorf is 18 months away, followed by Canada in 2025, so support us and sign up for the ZERO600 Morning Challenge or donate here. 

You can watch the action free on ABC iView.

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Invictus Australia Media Contact:

GoodPR; Phone: (02) 8502 2272; Email: hello@goodpr.com.au

Out of office hours: 0424 324 181 or 0427 400 961

More reading:

• Day Five – Gut wrenching displays at The Hague Invictus Games
• Day Four Invictus Games overview – spills and splashes
• Day Three Invictus Games Wrap – Competing is reward enough
• Day Two Invictus Games Wrap – Camaraderie and the spirit of Invictus
• Day One Wrap of Invictus Games 2022
• A Royal Welcome and fond farewells for Team Australia