Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Officially Opened: Speech by Founder Prince Harry and First Sets of Awards

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 officially kicked off for the seventh time with an exciting Opening Ceremony the day before at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.  This is a global world event dedicated to celebrating the resilience and determination of wounded, injured and ill service members and veterans from all countries. More than 500 participants from 23 countries have come together to compete in a spirit of camaraderie and determination. 

‘Despite any differences, here at the  Invictus Games,, we are based on mutual respect, compete fiercely, but believe in each other. We support each other. And we cheer for each other,’ said Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and founder of the Invictus Games Foundation. 

The Games kicked off with fast-paced wheelchair basketball, including intense opening matches between Germany and Canada, as well as Israel and France. 

In the final wheelchair basketball match, the Israeli team confidently defeated the USA with a score of 62-7. In the third-place match between the teams from New Zealand and the Third Invincible (a national team consisting of athletes from different countries - ed.), the Third Invincible won. The Ukrainian team began its participation in the wheelchair basketball tournament with a victory and won the first match against Colombia. However, they lost in the second qualifying match to the bronze medallist, the Third Invincible, and were eliminated.

Meanwhile, in the wheelchair curling tournament, South Korea took first place, Great Britain second, and Israel third.

Thus, Israel is leading the overall team standings, although there is no official summary table during the Invictus Games, as the competition is focused on rehabilitating wounded participants.

The Invictus Games play an important role in helping wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women and veterans regain confidence, strength and purpose through sport. It is an international multi-sport event where wounded, injured or ill servicemen and women compete in adaptive sports. It is open to both military personnel and veterans.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and founding patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, was inspired to establish the Invictus Games in 2014 after attending the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, USA. He realised this goal together with British entrepreneur Sir Keith Mills and in partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence.

The Invictus Games were held annually until 2020 and are now held every two years. The first edition took place in September 2014 in London, UK. Since then, five more editions have been held: Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018, The Hague 2020 and Düsseldorf 2023.