The Invictus Games were established in 2014 by the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry.
It is the only international adaptive sporting event for wounded, ill and injured active duty and veteran service members, and it was inspired by the U.S.-based Warrior Games. The games use the power of adaptive sport to help wounded warriors on their journeys to recovery.
The inaugural Invictus Games took place in London, England in the fall of 2014. More than 450 competitors from 13 nations attended the games to compete in a variety of adaptive sports.
In 2016, the second Invictus Games were held in Orlando, Florida and built on the excitement of the London games, with more than 500 competitors from 15 nations.
The games consist of 12 adaptive sports including archery, athletics, Jaguar Land Rover driving challenge, golf, indoor rowing, power lifting, road cycle, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
This year, the Invictus Games are being held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with 17 nations represented by 550 competitors. There will be eight days of competition from Sept. 23-30, including opening and closing ceremonies.
This year, a Call of Interest for volunteers to help with the Games was posted on Facebook, and Quesnel’s Susan MacNeill answered that call.
“I’ve been supportive of Wounded Warriors for years,” Susan said.
“I come from a long line of armed forces family members.”
She added she was aware of the Invictus Games right from the start in 2014 and thought it was wonderful.
More than 6,000 people submitted their application to volunteer for the games, but only 1,500 were chosen. Susan was lucky to be one of them.
“I thought it was awesome. I’m to be on the sports crew for archery and wheelchair tennis. This involves setting up the venue, assisting the athletes during the competition and anything else required.”
Some of the volunteers are working seven days with a one-day break in the middle, but Susan has been assigned to all eight days. However with many free events at the games, she’s hoping to have a few spare hours to take in some of those and possibly some of the other sports.
Part of the mandate of the Invictus Games was to make them affordable for the average person, and they have maintained that with tickets for the various competitions starting at just $25.
Team Canada is made up of 90 athletes from one of the country’s three armed forces – army, navy or air force. Of those 90 athletes, British Columbia’s contribution is 14, made up of either active duty or retired men and women.
Susan is excited about the opportunity to volunteer at such a momentous event. She had to pay her own transportation, meals and accommodation, but as she is working every day of the games, they will feed her during the time she’s volunteering. She is also staying with a relative, so its affordable.
A uniform is provided, which Susan says will be a terrific memento of the Games. But she is most looking forward to honouring these active and veteran military athletes who have become ill or injured as a direct result of their service.
“My reason for volunteering is to honour the armed service men and women in my own small way for their past and continued service that has enabled us to enjoy and live in a free country.”
Susan has asked City Council for 100 City of Quesnel pins to share with athletes at the Invictus Games.