The Invictus Games competition for wounded, wounded and sick service personnel and veterans began with a standing ovation and tribute from Prince Harry to members of the Ukrainian team who left their war-torn nation to compete.
From MIKE CORDER Associated Press
April 16, 2022, 6:40 p.m.
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THE HAGUE, The Netherlands – The Invictus Games competition for wounded, wounded and sick service personnel and veterans opened in the Netherlands on Saturday night with a standing ovation and tribute from Prince Harry to members of the Ukrainian team who left their war-torn nation to compete. .
With Harry and his wife Megan in the front row for the opening ceremony, the contestants applauded for nearly a minute as the Ukrainian team waved the nation’s blue and yellow flag after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte greeted them at the event, which was postponed by two years since the pandemic. coronavirus.
Harry founded the Invictus Games to help rehabilitate wounded or sick servicemen and veterans by challenging them to compete in Paralympic-like sporting events.
Welcoming all the competitors, Harry pointed out the Ukrainian team and their supporters.
“Your courage in choosing to come and being here tonight cannot be overstated,” he said the day after meeting with Ukrainians at a reception.
“You know, we’re with you. The world is united with you. And yet you deserve more. And I hope that these events, this event, create an opportunity … for how we as a global community can better show ourselves for you, “Harry added.
Megan came on stage before Harry and introduced him, saying, “I couldn’t love and respect him anymore. And I know you all feel the same way because he is your fellow veteran who has served two years in Afghanistan and 10 years of military service.
She called Harry “the founder of Invictus Games and the father of our two little ones, Archie and Lily.”
Earlier in the opening ceremony, the Dutch prime minister said portraits of Invictus athletes around Hague, the host city of this year’s competition, underscored the “resilience of strength of spirit to difficulties, vulnerability and strength”.
“These are your stories, your lines of rescue, and the events that are unfolding in Ukraine now make them resonate even more. “I would like to extend a special welcome to the Ukrainian team,” he said when applause and shouts erupted.
Ukrainians – many taking a short break from defending their country against the Russian invasion that sparked a devastating war – are among 500 athletes from 20 nations taking part in the games, which run until April 22nd.
Earlier Saturday, the race began with a challenge to drive around an obstacle course. Harry approached the action as they drove him down the track. He and Megan later waved to spectators as they drove them in miniature Land Rover cars with children behind the wheel.
From Sunday, athletes will participate in athletics, archery, cycling, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
On Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, also known as Harry and Megan, attended a welcome event for the contestants and their friends and family. It was the couple’s first public appearance in Europe since giving up their official royal roles and moving to the United States more than two years ago, citing unbearable pressure from their roles and racist attitudes in the British media.
On Thursday, the couple visited Harry’s grandmother, 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle. Recently, the Queen has been struggling with mobility problems.
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