Assistant Minister for Defence - Australian Invictus Games team departs for UK

Australia’s Invictus Games team departed Sydney this afternoon to conduct final preparations for competition in the United Kingdom.

The Australian Defence Force and the Returned and Services League (RSL) are supporting the team of 36 serving and former serving wounded, injured and ill military members.

They will be among 400 athletes to participate in the inaugural Invictus Games, an adaptive multi-sport competition championed by His Royal Highness Prince Harry. Competition will run from 10-14 September in London.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, said today’s departure represents the beginning of another significant chapter for the athletes.

“For many wounded, injured and ill people, participation in competitive sports is an important aspect of their rehabilitation. All team members have worked exceptionally hard and overcome many challenges to achieve selection for London,” Mr Robert said.

“Some team members are representing their nation as an athlete for the first time and this is a particularly proud time for them. Others have previously participated in adaptive sports competitions such US Marine Corps Trials and the RSL-sponsored Canadian Forces Soldier Allied Winter Sports Camp.

“Invictus means unconquered. It sums up the fighting spirit of our wounded, injured and ill personnel and what these tenacious men and women can achieve, post injury.”

In London, the Australian athletes will compete in a range of events including athletics, archery, indoor rowing, road cycling, swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

A Recovery Summit will be conducted in conjunction with the games. It will provide participating nations with an opportunity to discuss the management of their wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women. The Australian Defence Force will share its knowledge and experience and learn from what other countries are doing in the area of rehabilitation.

Media note:

Imagery is available 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