Invictus Games underway

Competition in the inaugural Invictus Games for wounded warriors is underway in London.

The Australian Defence Force and RSL Invictus Games team showed their fighting spirit in the athletics arena along with the competitors from 13 nations to win five silver medals and two bronze on the first day of competition.

Awe inspiring sporting action began at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre after a Drumhead Service to remember those who have died or been injured in conflict on what was the anniversary of ‘9/11’.

Australian athlete Mark Urquhart was awarded two silver medals and two bronze for his outstanding performances in the wheelchair race events and Dennis Ramsay won silver for his Shot Put and Discus throws.

Mark Urquhart said the day was the most memorable day of my life.

“It’s just surreal at the moment as I didn’t expect to place in the four events,” he said.

“His Royal Highness Prince Harry shook my hand and the Prince of Wales awarded me with one of the medals.

“Joe Townsend, the Paralympian wheelchair athlete from the UK is an absolute bullet, but the rest of field was also fantastic.

“The US team were very competitive and it was wonderful to see the Afghan representative, Maj Shah Jahan, have a great event.”

Agnes Young won a bronze medal for the Discus and Leading Seaman Kirsty-Lee Brown was awarded her gold medal for her Javelin win on September 9.

With the support of the 7,000-strong crowd of family, friends and supporters, including Prince Harry, the Duke of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales competition began for the 179 athletes (112 were field competitors and 128 track competitors) as they battled in the crucial qualifying rounds and heats to take part in the finals.

Teams ranged from Estonia’s two field athletes to the US contingent which arrived with 40 competitors in the field and 44 on the track.

The Australian Team Coach, Jason Bremner, said the first day of the Invictus games was a great day for sport and all the athletes who were involved, considering where they came from and the injuries they incurred while serving their countries.

“The performance and camaraderie between the teams and the atmosphere of the day was huge, with every athlete being cheered-on from first through to last place,” he said.

“There are the obvious visible injuries, such as the amputees, but there are many men and women who have sustained injuries that are not so evident, which shows that sport does and will play a large role in their recovery.

Jason Bremner said the Australian team was bonding well.

“The Invictus Games have brought together athletes from all over the country with varied military backgrounds in a short time,” he said.

“We are looking forward to the swimming and team events over the next two days.”

For more information on the Invictus Games visit: http://www.defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/ or http://www.invictusgames.org/

Overview of Athletics Finals September 11