I spent an illuminating afternoon welcoming home the UK Invictus Games Team.
During the afternoon in Parliament, I gave a tour to members of the team, including Andrew Bracey, a former Reservist Craftsmen who became wheelchair bound as a result of his service; he won one silver and two bronze medals for running in the IT4 Wheelchair category. Also in the group was Mike Matthews, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and paralysis as a result of an IED explosion in Afghanistan; he won a bronze medal for cycling.
Hearing the stories from the UK Invictus Team was both moving and inspiring. The strength needed not just to overcome severe injuries, but to then work to raise awareness of the challenges faced by wounded veterans is truly incredible. To overcome such adversity shows just how courageous these people are.
The games are an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing. Invictus is the Latin for "Unconquered, Undefeated"
This year’s Invictus Games took place in the USA, from 8th to 12th May in Orlando, Florida. The 2016 Games featured 500 competitors from 15 nations: Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The UK Delegation to the Games was delivered by a partnership of MOD, Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.