Invictus Games London: wounded warriors compete, overcome adversity

by Capt. Carolyn Glover
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - United Kingdom Public Affairs

9/18/2014 - LONDON -- Participants in the first-ever Invictus Games returned home after a week of vigorous, friendly competition at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London which concluded Sept. 14.

The Invictus Games was an international Paralympic-style event designed to spotlight sacrifices made by wounded warriors and their families, and cultivate healthy competition in the realm of adaptive sport.

The word 'Invictus', meaning 'unconquered', represents the perseverance and accomplishment of the wounded warrior fighting spirit. His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales sought to carry the impact of this message from the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado to an international audience, bringing together for the first time 430 serving and retired military athletes from 14 nations. One-hundred of these competitors represented the United States.

"The Invictus Games is one of the most professionally executed adaptive sports events on the planet. With the push to recognize the abilities of wounded military veterans, we can showcase the human spirit and our willingness to overcome any adversity at any time in our lives," said Steve Otero, U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior communications officer.  "These games provide an international platform for a nation's defenders and heroes to demonstrate the resiliency they live each and every day."

Lt. Gen. Tom Jones, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa vice commander, took the opportunity to witness the impact of competitive adaptive sport first-hand by attending several matches, and  getting to know the U.S. athletes, coaches and families, developing a personal understanding of the road to recovery through adaptive sports.

"I'm impressed with these athletes' attitudes and their physical abilities," Jones remarked. "It's reassuring to me that their lives have not stopped with their injuries. Their ability to perform at the highest level is really inspiring."

Jones also participated in the Recovery Summit - a meeting of senior leaders aimed at exchanging information on wounded warrior recovery policy with participating nations.

According to Lt. Gen. AR Gregory, U.K. Armed Forces chief of defense personnel, who co-chaired the summit, "We will all approach recovery in a different way, but I believe we all share a commitment to do the best we can for those who serve our respective nations. By focusing on our duty of care for each individual, we can support their recovery and enable a successful return to duty or transition to civilian life."

Several key U.S. government and military leaders also joined Jones in attending the games to show support for the wounded warriors in action.  Also in attendance were a Presidential Delegation led by Dr. Jill Biden, Mr. James Rodriguez, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense of Warrior Care Policy, and U.S. Navy Admiral James A. Winnefield Jr. vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Although the Invictus Games have come to an end, the training and the competition will not stop anytime soon. The 2014 U.S. Warrior Games are set to begin Sept. 28.

"The Invictus Games serves as a broader mechanism for our veterans of all services and all nations to show our public what they are capable of doing.  I think the Warrior Games will benefit from this broader perspective," said Jones. "My hope is our athletes will use this as a sharpening of their skills, and they'll do even better when they get back to the Warrior Games in the United States. I know it will be easier on their body clocks!"