On the eve of his 30th birthday, Prince Harry honored wounded soldiers with the first-ever “Invictus Games.” More than 400 injured and ill service members from 13 nations competed in Paralympic-style athletics held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, home of the 2012 Olympics.
“It’s not about the rights or wrongs of war, it’s about people who have served their country and now are rebuilding their lives.” said Harry, who served with the British military in Afghanistan.
“It’s not about the rights or wrongs of war, it’s about people who have served their country and now are rebuilding their lives.” said Harry, who served with the British military in Afghanistan.
Invictus Games Closes on a High Note
At the star-studded closing concert, Prince Harry told 26,000 spectators that he was “over the moon” about the success of the first international Paralympic games for wounded soldiers.
Team Great Britian was the gold medal winner – snagging 55 golds to Team USA’s 28. But never one to gloat, Harry said “the success of these Games can be measured not by medals won, but by the renewed sense of purpose and confidence in your abilities that you have gained.”
Harry said he would use the proceeds to help find work for service members returning from combat. 70,000 tickets went on sale for Invictus events, which included the opening ceremonies, the games, and the closing concert which featured Ellie Goulding, the Foo Fighters, James Blunt, Kaiser Chiefs, and others.
At the star-studded closing concert, Prince Harry told 26,000 spectators that he was “over the moon” about the success of the first international Paralympic games for wounded soldiers.
Team Great Britian was the gold medal winner – snagging 55 golds to Team USA’s 28. But never one to gloat, Harry said “the success of these Games can be measured not by medals won, but by the renewed sense of purpose and confidence in your abilities that you have gained.”
Harry said he would use the proceeds to help find work for service members returning from combat. 70,000 tickets went on sale for Invictus events, which included the opening ceremonies, the games, and the closing concert which featured Ellie Goulding, the Foo Fighters, James Blunt, Kaiser Chiefs, and others.
Prince Harry Shines in Wheelchair Rugby Match
Prince Harry took to the court on Friday to compete in a wheelchair rugby exhibition match before 6,000 screaming fans. In a royal showdown, Harry teamed up with his cousin Zara Phillips and former England rugby star Jason Robinson to battle team “Endeavour” which included Zara's husband, Mike Tindall, and Olympians Dame Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis.
The Paralympic sport designed for quadriplegics has been called “murderball” for its high-contact, aggressive nature.
Harry led his star-studded team to an 8-6 victory. He scored the first try but also landed in the sin bin for a foul, eliciting laughter from his sister-in-law, Pippa Middleton, who watched from the sidelines.
Prince Harry took to the court on Friday to compete in a wheelchair rugby exhibition match before 6,000 screaming fans. In a royal showdown, Harry teamed up with his cousin Zara Phillips and former England rugby star Jason Robinson to battle team “Endeavour” which included Zara's husband, Mike Tindall, and Olympians Dame Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis.
The Paralympic sport designed for quadriplegics has been called “murderball” for its high-contact, aggressive nature.
Harry led his star-studded team to an 8-6 victory. He scored the first try but also landed in the sin bin for a foul, eliciting laughter from his sister-in-law, Pippa Middleton, who watched from the sidelines.
Drumhead Ceremony Honors 9/11 Victims
Prince Harry, Prince William and service members from 13 nations honored the victims of 9/11 with a traditional drumhead ceremony, a multifaith service conducted by senior chaplains from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. The event took place at London’s Lee Valley Athletics Centre, where Invictus Games athletes are competing in track and field events.
“We remember those still affected by the events of in the United States in 2001,” the chaplain said. Drumhead services date back hundreds of years, when soldiers made makeshift alters on battlefields by piling drums typically draped in regiment colors.
Prince Harry, Prince William and service members from 13 nations honored the victims of 9/11 with a traditional drumhead ceremony, a multifaith service conducted by senior chaplains from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. The event took place at London’s Lee Valley Athletics Centre, where Invictus Games athletes are competing in track and field events.
“We remember those still affected by the events of in the United States in 2001,” the chaplain said. Drumhead services date back hundreds of years, when soldiers made makeshift alters on battlefields by piling drums typically draped in regiment colors.
Team USA
Team USA sent 98 of its wounded warriors and their families to London to participate in nine events: cycling, swimming, track and field, archery, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting and a driving challenge.
These athletes were selected based on ability and skill after a year-long series of camps, clinics, and trials throughout the country. 53 are on active duty service and 45 are veterans.
Team USA sent 98 of its wounded warriors and their families to London to participate in nine events: cycling, swimming, track and field, archery, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting and a driving challenge.
These athletes were selected based on ability and skill after a year-long series of camps, clinics, and trials throughout the country. 53 are on active duty service and 45 are veterans.
Featured Heroes
Retired Marine Medic Jacob Emmott
Marine combat medic Jacob Emmott deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He was shot in the head while providing medical care to two critically wounded soldiers. The bullet hit him square in the nose and came out behind his left ear. After briefly blacking out, he regained consciousness and continued aiding his fellow marines. For that, he was awarded a silver star.
Just a few years ago, Emmott had to relearn to walk because of his war injuries. This week he will go for gold in archery, swimming, and sitting volleyball. These games, he said, give him a reason to do better: “I can sit at home right now, hopped up on painkillers or just all around feel sorry for myself. Instead, I am going after an obtainable challenge.”
In London, Emmott got a rare treat – he went off-road driving alone with Prince Harry. The prince let Emmott drive and joked that his skills were “not bad for someone who was shot in the head.” “Don’t ever give up,” Emmott said, “no matter what happens, make it to bedtime and when you wake up, try it again.”
Retired Marine Medic Jacob Emmott
Marine combat medic Jacob Emmott deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He was shot in the head while providing medical care to two critically wounded soldiers. The bullet hit him square in the nose and came out behind his left ear. After briefly blacking out, he regained consciousness and continued aiding his fellow marines. For that, he was awarded a silver star.
Just a few years ago, Emmott had to relearn to walk because of his war injuries. This week he will go for gold in archery, swimming, and sitting volleyball. These games, he said, give him a reason to do better: “I can sit at home right now, hopped up on painkillers or just all around feel sorry for myself. Instead, I am going after an obtainable challenge.”
In London, Emmott got a rare treat – he went off-road driving alone with Prince Harry. The prince let Emmott drive and joked that his skills were “not bad for someone who was shot in the head.” “Don’t ever give up,” Emmott said, “no matter what happens, make it to bedtime and when you wake up, try it again.”
Sergeant Elizabeth Wasil
Sergeant Elizabeth Wasil is an Army combat medic, the first Paralympic swimmer in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program and the current American record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Wasil joined the Army in 2008, shortly after her 17th birthday. In 2010, five months after her deployment to Iraq, she sustained bilateral hip injuries.
“Without my injury I never would have known I could swim competitively,” she told ABC News. For Wasil, these games are an opportunity to come together with other soldiers “not as competitors but as brothers and sisters.”
“We may not speak the same language, but we’ve worn the same boots,” Wasil said.
Sergeant Elizabeth Wasil is an Army combat medic, the first Paralympic swimmer in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program and the current American record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Wasil joined the Army in 2008, shortly after her 17th birthday. In 2010, five months after her deployment to Iraq, she sustained bilateral hip injuries.
“Without my injury I never would have known I could swim competitively,” she told ABC News. For Wasil, these games are an opportunity to come together with other soldiers “not as competitors but as brothers and sisters.”
“We may not speak the same language, but we’ve worn the same boots,” Wasil said.
Technical Sergeant Chad Lukkes
Technical Sergeant Chad Lukkes was deployed to Iraq twice with an Army unit tasked with clearing roadside bombs. In 2007, he was on an IED sweep of a main supply route when a bomb ripped through his vehicle and flipped it over.
Seven years later, Lukkes is competing in cycling, air rifle/pistol, track and sitting volleyball. “My favorite word is adaptability,” he told ABC News. “Sports to me is life. Sports gets you out of the house, it gets you motivated.” He and his family are ecstatic for his first competition on the world’s stage.
Technical Sergeant Chad Lukkes was deployed to Iraq twice with an Army unit tasked with clearing roadside bombs. In 2007, he was on an IED sweep of a main supply route when a bomb ripped through his vehicle and flipped it over.
Seven years later, Lukkes is competing in cycling, air rifle/pistol, track and sitting volleyball. “My favorite word is adaptability,” he told ABC News. “Sports to me is life. Sports gets you out of the house, it gets you motivated.” He and his family are ecstatic for his first competition on the world’s stage.
Retired Army Staff Sergeant Chanda Gaeth
Retired Army Staff Sergeant Chanda Gaeth arrives in London with three Warrior Games gold medals under her belt. She is competing in wheelchair racing, cycling, swimming, shot put and discus.
Gaeth sustained spinal cord injuries in 2003 while serving overseas, and has since been wheelchair-bound.
“To me, sports is a way to overcome whatever your disability is, and to be more capable because I’m doing things I never did as an able-bodied soldier. I wouldn’t have dreamed that I’d have a gold medal in anything,” she said.
Retired Army Staff Sergeant Chanda Gaeth arrives in London with three Warrior Games gold medals under her belt. She is competing in wheelchair racing, cycling, swimming, shot put and discus.
Gaeth sustained spinal cord injuries in 2003 while serving overseas, and has since been wheelchair-bound.
“To me, sports is a way to overcome whatever your disability is, and to be more capable because I’m doing things I never did as an able-bodied soldier. I wouldn’t have dreamed that I’d have a gold medal in anything,” she said.
Overcoming Challenges
The US athletes' injuries and illnesses include post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, autoimmune diseases and amputations. The Wounded Warriors are competing September 10–14.
The US athletes' injuries and illnesses include post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, autoimmune diseases and amputations. The Wounded Warriors are competing September 10–14.
Unconquered Warriors
“Invictus” – Latin for “unconquered” – comes from William Ernest Henley’s classic poem about strength through adversity.
The poem ends with these inspiring words: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
The poem ends with these inspiring words: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
FISHER HOUSE
By Lauren Pearle and Bob Woodruff