Assistant Minister for Defence - Australian athletes to participate in Invictus Games

The Australian Defence Force, in partnership with the Returned and Services League (RSL), is supporting a team of 36 serving and former serving wounded, injured and ill military members to compete in the inaugural Invictus Games in London in September 2014.

The Invictus Games is an international adaptive multi-sport competition championed by His Royal Highness Prince Harry. More than 400 athletes from 14 countries will attend the games.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, said he was proud to support current and former serving ADF members to participate in this inaugural event.

“The Invictus Games provides an opportunity to support the rehabilitation and recovery of the 15 current and 21 former ADF members and recognise their individual sacrifice,” Mr Robert said.

“Each member of the Australian team has a compelling story of overcoming huge challenges. There is a common theme that binds them and all competitors at the Invictus Games. It is their sheer grit and determination to confront physical and mental hardship and to continue working toward their recovery goals.”

Commander Joint Health Command, Rear Admiral Robyn Walker said the ADF’s involvement in the Invictus Games is designed to build on the positive experiences at other adaptive sports competitions such US Marine Corps Trials and the RSL-sponsored Canadian Forces Soldier Allied Winter Sports Camp.

“A key component of the Invictus Games is a Recovery Summit that will provide participating nations with an opportunity to discuss the management of their wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women. I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet many of the athletes from the competing countries and to share experiences and learn from what other countries are doing in the area of rehabilitation,” RADM Walker said.

National President of the Returned and Services League, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan said the games were designed to be an inspirational experience for some of our bravest servicemen and women.

“Involvement by our athletes in the Invictus Games will enable them to focus on what they can achieve post-injury and celebrate their fighting spirit through what is for most, a challenging period of their life,” RADM Doolan said.

“We wish all our athletes the very best as they represent their country at the Invictus Games.”

Athletes will compete in a variety of events including athletics, archery, indoor rowing, road cycling, swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

Media note:

Defence will provide a comprehensive package of interviews and overlay of Invictus Games athletes training at the Australian Institute of Sport. This package will be fed to Parliament House bureaus at 12:00 pm Thursday, 26 August.

High resolution stills imagery of the athletes training at the AIS will be available for download at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20142348.

Media contacts:

Richard Briedis (Minister Robert's Office) (02) 6277 7730 or 0477 391 174

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999