The courage and determination of more than 400 wounded warriors demonstrated the true meaning of the Invictus Games held in London from September 10-14.
On the final day of the four-day sporting event athletes joined a crowd of close to 26,000 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for a concert featuring stars such as the Foo Fighters and James Blunt.
After four days of intense commitment the Australian team marched on to the stage to receive a medallion commemorating their involvement along with athletes from Afghanistan, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The Invictus Games initiative is an international adaptive multi-sport competition for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill in service to their country.
His Royal Highness Prince Harry passed on a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who said she had followed the competition and was deeply moved by the courage, determination and talent of the athletes.
"All of you have used the power of sport to enhance your own recovery and to raise wider awareness of the enormous challenges faced by wounded veterans," she said.
"The success of these games can be measured not by medals won, but by the renewed sense of purpose and confidence in your abilities that you have gained."
Medal tallies were not officially recorded for the Invictus Games, but Australia won close to 20 in events such as athletics, cycling, archery, swimming and rowing.
he Australian team also made an impression on the other nations with their style and sportsmanship during the wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball events.
Prince Harry said the games shone a spotlight on the unconquerable character of servicemen and women and their families - their invictus spirit," he said.
"These games have been about seeing guys sprinting for the finish line and then turning round to clap the last man in."
"They have been about team-mates choosing to cross the line together; not wanting to come second, but not wanting the other guys too either."
"These games have shown the very best of the human spirit."
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
