Kingston, Ontario – Brigadier-General Shane Brennan, Commanding Officer of the Joint Personnel Support Unit and Head of Mission for Team Canada, today announced the 90-member team that will be heading to the 2017 Invictus Games, during an event held at Fort Henry in Kingston.
General (Retired) Walt Natynczyk, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, joined Brigadier-General Brennan in a show of solidarity with the athletes who are in their final leg of training.
Members of the team came from across the country to take part in the second and final one-week training camp at Canadian Forces Base Kingston. The team is training for the 11 competitive sports that will be featured at the Invictus Games.
Quotes
“I am proud of our current serving members and veterans who are representing Canada at the 2017 Invictus Games. Their performances on the track, in the swimming lanes, and at the nine other adaptive sports events at the Games will demonstrate the extraordinary courage and determination of those who acquired a mental health or physical injury while serving their country.”
Brigadier-General Shane Brennan, Commanding Officer of the Joint Personnel Support Unit and Head of Mission for Team Canada
“At Veterans Affairs Canada we are dedicated to the recovery, the rehabilitation and the well-being of our Veterans and support of their families. The Invictus Games are another opportunity to support them to achieve their goals and ambitions and to honour their service and sacrifices.”
General (Retired) Walt Natynczyk, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada
Quick Facts
- The 2017 Invictus Games are being held in Toronto, September 23 to 30, and will feature 11 sports, including archery, track and field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby and golf. There will also be a Driving Challenge.
- The participation of Team Canada in the Invictus Games is made possible through the Canadian Armed Forces’ Soldier On Program, in partnership with Invictus Games Toronto.
- Using the transformative power of sport, Soldier On has supported more than 3,200 members since its inception over 10 years ago and remains committed to supporting veterans and serving members with a permanent mental health or physical injury to adapt to their new normal, overcome their challenges and Soldier On in life.
- Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, Soldier On has disbursed more than $5.4 million directly to ill and injured members across the country in support of their recovery.
Associated Links
Source: National Defence
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE INVICTUS GAMES?
The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for ill or injured military members, both serving and veterans. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve(d) their country.
WHY WERE THE INVICTUS GAMES SET UP?
Prince Harry was driven to bring the event to an international audience following his inspirational visit to the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013. He saw how the power of sport could help ‘wounded warriors’ physically, psychologically and socially.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INVICTUS GAMES?
The Invictus Games are open to participants from the regular or reserve Canadian Armed Forces who have acquired a permanent physical or mental health injury/illness while in service.
WHAT ARE THE COMPETITION CATEGORIES?
Competition categories have been developed specifically for the Invictus Games to ensure fair competition. Each athlete will be assigned a proper competition category according to their physical and/or mental health illness/injury.
For more information on the Invictus Games visit the official website.
Be a part of one of the largest sporting events to take place in Canada this year and show your support for all those who have served in uniform.
Purchase your tickets today and we will see you in September! http://www.invictusgames2017.com/tickets/