Prince Harry will join organisers of his inaugural Invictus Games today as they announce the 130-strong team that will represent Britain in the event.
Harry is attending the announcement of the biggest British military sports team ever assembled from wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women as the team for next month's games is revealed today.
Made up of 69% Army, 23% Naval service and 8% Royal Air Force, the competitors will take on hundreds of rivals from 14 nations in a Paralympic-style competition in London next month.
The team, which has been trained and supported by Help for Heroes and the Ministry of Defence, is made up of 58% veterans, with 42% still serving members of the armed forces, and was heralded today by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon as representing the "best of British spirit".
Today's team announcement follows a three-month training and trial period, where aspiring competitors undertook events in the nine adaptive sports that will feature in the games - archery, athletics, wheelchair basketball and rugby, cycling, powerlifting, indoor rowing, swimming and sitting volleyball.
After some 67 days and 497 coaching hours, the final team, from across the UK, has been chosen on criteria including commitment to training, performance, progression in their sport, and feedback from their coaches.
They will now continue their training in the run-up to the games, which start on September 10.
British Armed Forces team captain Dave Henson, who lost his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan, said: "When I was injured I thought that was it, my life was over.
"The confidence boost that sport gave me was huge and to be selected as part of the British team for the Invictus Games is a huge honour.
"I really hope the British public both really get behind the games and come and support us in person. It's going to be a truly inspirational event."
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "Those who will be competing in the Invictus Games have already overcome enormous challenges and shown huge courage in the face of the life-changing injuries they received whilst bravely serving their country.
"They demonstrate the powerful role that sport and physical activity can play in recovery, with many being introduced to this through the Battle Back programme.
"The UK team represents the best of British spirit and I urge people to join me in cheering them on in a few weeks' time."
The Invictus Games, taking place over five days in September, are being organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence and are backed by Help for Heroes.
Harry, who is the driving force behind the games, has pledged to make them a regular event as he called on the public to snap up tickets for the competition.
Teams have been invited from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Iraq, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK and USA.
A star-studded closing ceremony will feature acts including Foo Fighters, Kaiser Chiefs, Ellie Goulding, Ryan Adams, The Vamps, Rizzle Kicks, James Blunt and Military Wives Choirs.
Last week Harry was joined by his brother William as they made a surprise visit to athletes training for the event, attending the final trial session at Lee Valley Athletics Centre in north London.
As Britain's team was announced today, Martin Colclough, British team manager for the games and head of sports recovery at Help for Heroes, said: "Help for Heroes are delighted to have played a part in the training and development of the British Armed Forces as part of our Sports Recovery programme.
"Sport plays such an important part in the recovery of our ill and injured and it's fantastic we've been able to provide them with this opportunity.
"We've got a great team that are going to be a force to be reckoned with during the Invictus Games!"
Invictus Games chairman Sir Keith Mills said: "My congratulations go to the remarkable men and women who have made the British Armed Forces team for the Invictus Games.
"They've done so through the same grit and determination that they've shown throughout their inspirational journeys of recovery.
"Next month the public has a unique chance to celebrate their 'invictus spirit' in the sporting arena and I don't have any doubt that our team will enjoy fantastic home support."
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/harry-attend-team-announcement-020146272.html
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