Prince Harry launches Invictus Games

An opening ceremony to mark the launch of the inaugural Invictus Games was hosted in London on Wednesday 11th September.

The event is for injured servicemen and women, with over 400 people from 13 different countries competing in a number of sporting events.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was the home of the festivities, which featured Idris Elba reading the poem “Invictus”, Coldplay performing a special anthem created for the event, a flyover from the Red Arrows, and a video message from US First Lady Michelle Obama.

Earlier in the day, a party was also hosted by Prince Harry at the US Ambassador’s official residence at Winfield House, for competitors, their families and supporters. As part of the celebrations, Foo Fighters performed for the visiting crowds, and a video message from US President Barack Obama was played.

The Prince said in his welcoming speech at the Winfield House bash: "Over the past eight years, I have witnessed the whole cycle of life-changing injury; evacuating soldiers and local Afghans to hospital; flying home from Afghanistan with some of those critically injured; meeting others in hospital coming to terms with life-changing injuries; and finally trying to keep up with 12 wounded veterans on our way to the south pole.

“I can only begin to imagine how challenging the journey of recovery is, but the admiration I have for these men and women, to move beyond their injuries, is limitless."

Among the sports set to be played over the four-day event are wheelchair basketball and rugby, archery, sitting volleyball and swimming. Competitors will also take part in a host of athletics events.

The idea for the Invictus Games has come from a similar event formulated in the US, known as the Warrior Games. It is expected to be the first of many, with other countries potentially hosting their own event in the future.

It is hoped the backing of a notable figure such as Prince Harry, who has been a driving force behind the organisation of the event, means the games will achieve worldwide notoriety.