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After the launch of the Invictus games in 2014, the spirit of the games continued through to this year, when the games were hosted in Toronto. They -the games- took place in Toronto between the 24th and 30th of September, and during that time Toronto, and the world watched the set up with unveiled interest.  

 

These games are for veterans from around the world, many of whom being injured in some way as a result of their service to their country, and because of their injuries, being unable to participate in the day to day life we are so used to. They find themselves believing that their lives may as well be over because their injury - whatever it may be - limits their contribution to society. The aim of the games is to use the power of sport to help the participant recover, and to spread awareness for the wounded and sick servicemen and women around the world. One of the American competitors stated the impact that the games had on how he viewed his life.

 

“Up until my awareness of the Invictus Games, all I had been doing was living in memories. In my mind my life has been over and I was just waiting to be done because I’m not capable of doing or living like I used to. I‘m starting to think however, that my game has just begun.”

 

To add to the hype the country was experiencing, Prince Harry visited Toronto to show his support for the games. This would be his third year attending the games since he founded it. During his stay in Toronto he saw the games growing, and the impact that those games were having on the world swell. In the closing ceremony, Prince Harry gave a speech about the expanding impact that the games were having on the world’s attitude toward the world’s wounded, sick and injured armed services personnel. Prince Harry himself was a part of the British Armed Forces before he began the Invictus Games.

 

“Thank you to Michael Burns and his team, to all the amazing volunteers, to our friends and families, and to the people of Toronto. You have delivered the biggest Invictus Games yet, with the most incredible atmosphere, making our competitors feel like the stars they are.”

 

The Invictus games have enabled growth within the world’s veteran community. Many who return find themselves in a position which does not lend itself to today's fast paced, unforgiving business world. The fact of the matter is that out of all the veteran men and women, 50% of their work applications are rejected when seeking out work, compared to the 20% of rejected applications made by ‘average’ members of society. The men and women who serve should be able to come home without the weight of unemployment sitting on their minds, and Prince Harry is making a conscious effort to try and shift the world’s outlook on the disabled. Through the Invictus games he hopes to help them realise that their lives are not over, that there is still so much more left for them to do in their lives.  

 

Next year will be the 4th time the world's veterans will be competing, and this time the games will be held in Sydney, Australia. One can only hope that awareness of these games continues to spread and that support continues to grow.