Team Canada departs for Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia

News release

October 16, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Team Canada departed for the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia, following a send-off event today at the Canadian Reception Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, were among those who offered Team Canada competitors their support and best wishes for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, which runs October 20 to 27.

Team Canada’s 39-person contingent includes 17 serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and 22 Veterans who acquired an illness or a physical or mental health injury while serving Canada.

The goal of the Invictus Games is to demonstrate the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and demonstrate life beyond disability. Invictus, which comes from the Latin for “unconquered”, uses sports in order to generate a wider understanding and respect for the wounded, injured, and ill members of the military, whether currently serving or Veterans.

Participants from Team Canada will be taking part in all 11 sports featured at this year’s Invictus Games: archery, track and field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sailing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.

More than 500 competitors at this year’s Invictus Games will represent 18 countries, which include Canada, Afghanistan, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Additional multimedia

Team Canada met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister Sajjan, Minister O’Regan and with Lieutenant-General Lamarre at the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill

Quotes

“The Invictus Games are a powerful reminder of the remarkable courage and determination of those who have been injured, either physically or mentally, while in service of their country. To all of Team Canada, we could not be prouder of you.  Good luck in Sydney!"

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan

“It’s inspiring to see the courage and resilience of the athletes representing Team Canada at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. Recovery and transition can be challenging. But the power of sport, competition and representing your country have proven to be invaluable in this process.  Being part of Team Canada is a well-deserved honour for these competitors and I wish them all good luck; Canada will be cheering you on!”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“I want to extend my absolute best wishes to the former and current Canadian Armed Forces members representing Canada at this year’s Invictus Games in Sydney. Instead of being hampered by adversity, they are beacons of determination who serve as an inspiration to us all. As they have done so remarkably well in the past, I know they will represent our country with the highest levels of skill and courage. Good luck!”

General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff

“I am thrilled, as I know all of my teammates are, to be representing Canada at this year’s Invictus Games! This event goes far beyond the field of play. At its core, it is about comradery, determination, and the strength to overcome the challenges we face. If our participation in this year’s Games inspires just one other person to do the same, it will have been a success.”

Major (Retired) Rob Hicks, Team Captain for Team Canada at Invictus Games Sydney 2018

Quick facts

  • The Invictus Games, founded by His Royal Highness Prince Harry, are an international sporting competition for ill and injured active duty members or veterans. The mission of the Games is to honour the men and women who have come face-to-face with the reality of sacrificing for their country, using the power of rehabilitative sports to help them on their journey of recovery.

  • The participation of Team Canada in the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 is made possible through the CAF’s Soldier On program, in partnership with the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 organizing committee and Veterans Affairs Canada. Sponsors of Team Canada include Air Canada, Bell Media, Jaguar Land Rover, Under Armour, and True Patriot Love Foundation.

  • Using the transformative power of sport, Soldier On has supported more than 5,000 members since its inception in 2007, and remains committed to supporting Veterans and serving CAF members with a permanent mental health or physical injury as they adapt to their new normal, overcome their challenges, and Soldier On in life.

  • Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, Soldier On has been able to disburse more than $6 million directly to ill and injured CAF serving members and Veterans across the country in support of their recovery. If you wish to help support our serving members and Veterans, please visit https://www.soldieron.ca/ and click on Give Support.

Associated links

Contacts

Lt(N) Kelly Boyden
Team Canada Public Affairs Officer
Cell: 613-797-2130
Email: Kelly.Boyden@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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