Prince Harry marks 500 days until the Invictus Games in Sydney
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today welcomed Prince Harry to Sydney to launch the official countdown to the 2018 Invictus Games.
In November 2016, NSW was confirmed to host the international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and ill active and veteran service men and women which will take place across Greater Sydney, Sydney Olympic Park and Sydney Harbour from 20-27 October 2018.
Ms Berejiklian said hosting the Invictus Games in Sydney would be a proud and historic moment for the state.
“The Invictus Games celebrates our veterans and serving personnel and pays tribute to the strength they have shown in overcoming the kinds of obstacles many of us will never face.
“NSW has a proud history of supporting our servicemen and women, and this fantastic event only solidifies this support throughout the community.”
The Premier joined Australia’s Governor-General and Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Ambassador, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Ret’d) and Lady Cosgrove, Prince Harry; Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the Chair of Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Lt Gen Peter Leahy (Ret’d) at Admiralty House to mark 500 days until more than 500 competitors from 18 different nations arrive in NSW.
NSW Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott said the Invictus Games was a hard-won celebration of achievement and determination.
“How appropriate that in 2018, the final year of the Centenary of Anzac, we will see Games that seeks to ignite that same ‘unconquerable’ Australian spirit.
“The NSW veteran and defence community is proud to represent our nation and is determined to make Invictus Games Sydney 2018 one to remember.”
The Games is the only international adaptive sporting event of its kind for active duty and veteran servicemen and women. Prince Harry founded the Games in 2014 and is Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.
Members of the public are invited to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry today, as he arrives in Campbell’s Cove Sydney from 2.00pm.
For more information, visit www.invictusgames2018.org