Buzz
While the media often focuses on Prince Harry's personal life and his marriage to actress Meghan Markle, the Duke of Sussex is deeply committed to his philanthropic efforts. From October 20 to 27 in Sydney, Australia, he will host the Invictus Games, an international sporting event he founded in 2014 for injured service members. Competitors will engage in sports like wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, aiming to win medals and, as Harry puts it, "showcase the power of resilience beyond physical limitations."
Discover more about the origins and future of the Games in our detailed overview below.
1. THE IDEA ORIGINATED FROM AN AMERICAN EVENT.
Prince Harry speaks with a Warrior Games representative in the United States | Photo by Arthur Edwards-Pool, Getty ImagesDuring a U.S. tour to promote his charitable initiatives, Prince Harry was asked to support the British team at the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado, an event for injured military veterans. Inspired by the participants' spirit and unity, he developed the Invictus Games (derived from the Latin word meaning "unconquered"). The first edition took place in London in September 2014. "The Americans had such a brilliant concept that it was worth borrowing," he quipped.
2. PART OF ITS FUNDING COMES FROM BANK PENALTIES.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seen observing from the sidelines | Photo by Chris Jackson, Getty ImagesCorporate sponsors like Jaguar help cover the Invictus Games' expenses, but the 2014 event also received funding from penalties imposed on British banks for manipulating currency rates. Around £1 million (approximately $1,300,000) from these fines was allocated, matching the £1 million contribution from Prince Harry's Royal Foundation.
3. INDOOR ROWING IS ONE OF THE FEATURED SPORTS.
An athlete competes in indoor rowing at the Invictus Games | Photo by Steve Bardens, Getty Images for Invictus GamesThe Invictus Games feature a variety of adaptive sports, designed to accommodate participants with diverse physical abilities. In sitting volleyball, players must maintain contact with the floor using one buttock while playing. Indoor rowing replicates the experience of outdoor rowing through the use of specialized machines.
4. WHEELCHAIR RUGBY IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE.
Competitors engage in wheelchair rugby at the Invictus Games | Photo by Chris Jackson, Getty Images for the Invictus Games FoundationContrary to the belief that adaptive sports are less demanding, wheelchair rugby proves otherwise. Players strive to maneuver a volleyball across the court and past the opposing team's cones. The game involves intense collisions, resembling a demolition derby more than traditional football, with unexpected hits that can damage wheelchairs and leave participants stunned.
5. THE EVENT ISN'T LIMITED TO HUMAN PARTICIPANTS.
A service dog shakes water off after swimming at the Invictus Games | Photo by Chris Jackson, Getty Images for InvictusRecognizing the vital role service dogs play in the lives of many disabled veterans, organizers welcomed these animals to the 2016 Orlando Games. In a spontaneous decision, they allowed the dogs to join an impromptu pool race. (Despite being held at Disney World, Pluto didn't make an appearance for the doggy-paddle competition.)
6. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN MADE A SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE.
Bruce Springsteen shakes hands with a war veteran at the Invictus Games | Photo by Chris Jackson, Getty Images for the Invictus Games FoundationPrince Harry's influence has attracted numerous high-profile personalities to the Games. Former U.S. president Barack Obama and Joe Biden were present at the 2017 event, while David Beckham was appointed as the 2018 ambassador. In 2017, Bruce Springsteen concluded the Toronto Games with a solo performance, later sharing the stage with Bryan Adams.
7. THE GAMES TOOK A BREAK FOR A YEAR.
Prince Harry converses with representatives at the Invictus Games | Photo by Gregory Shamus, Getty Images for the Invictus Games FoundationFollowing the 2014 London Games, Orlando hosted the 2016 event, and Toronto took charge in 2017. The Games took a hiatus in 2015 to allow Orlando time to secure funding. Similarly, the competition will bypass 2019, relocating to The Hague in the Netherlands for the 2020 edition.
8. THE GAMES ARE ENCOURAGING MORE VETERANS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS.
Athletes huddle together during the Invictus Games | Photo by Harry How, Getty Images for the Invictus Games FoundationThe impact of the Games extends beyond competitors. After the 2014 debut, Help for Heroes, which helped recruit British athletes, noted a 463 percent rise in veterans joining archery evaluations and a 633 percent surge in powerlifting registrations.
9. THE GAMES WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
An Invictus Games athlete raises a trophy in victory | Photo by Paul Thomas, Getty Images for Jaguar Land RoverTaking part in the Invictus Games significantly uplifts participants' spirits. With a grant from the Forces in Mind Trust, researchers will track 300 athletes over four years to measure their well-being against non-participants. This data will highlight the advantages of adaptive sports, potentially increasing future participation and funding.
10. A BRAILLE-EMBOSSED COMMEMORATIVE COIN WAS RELEASED.
A commemorative coin for the Invictus Games showcases Braille text | Royal Australian MintTo honor visually impaired participants in the Invictus Games, the Royal Australian Mint released its first-ever Braille coin. Designed to celebrate the 2018 Sydney Games, the coin depicts a disabled athlete and includes "Sydney '18" in Braille. Priced at $15 AUD (around $11), the $1 AUD coin has a limited mintage of 30,000. A gold-plated edition, limited to 2018 units, is available for $150 AUD ($108).
