Q&A
Q. What are the Invictus Games?
A. Founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, the 6th Invictus Games will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The goal of these Games are to give soldiers who are wounded, injured or ill in body and soul a greater awareness and recognition in society and to support their path in rehabilitation. Learn more about the 2023 Invictus Games at https://invictusgames23.de.
Q. When and where are the 2023 Invictus Games?
A. Invictus Team U.S. will join more than 20 other nations to compete in the 2023 Invictus Games, taking place Sept. 7-17 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Learn more about this year’s Invictus Games sports schedule by visiting https://invictusgames23.de/en/the-games-2023/schedule/.
Q. How are the Invictus Games related to the Warrior Games?
A. The Department of Defense Warrior Games were founded 2010 as a way to highlight the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran service members and leverage the power of adaptive sports as part of their recovery journeys. Following a visit to the DoD Warrior Games, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, founded the Invictus Games Foundation and created the Invictus Games, inviting countries from across the globe to utilize adaptive sports as part of their recovery programs.
Q. How is Team U.S. selected?
A. Invictus Team U.S. is comprised of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran service members representing the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command. These athletes compete in their Warrior Care programs for a chance to represent the United States on the international stage at the Invictus Games.
Q. Will the Invictus Games be televised or streamed somewhere?
A. Yes, people across the globe, and here in the United States, will be able to watch Team U.S. compete alongside more than 20 other countries at the 2023 Invictus Games. Visit https://invictusgames23.de to learn more about this year’s event and how you can tune in.
Q. What are adaptive sports?
A. Adaptive sports provide reconditioning activities and competitive athletic opportunities to wounded, ill and injured service members to improve their physical and mental wellness throughout the continuum of recovery and transition. Modified equipment and additional classification systems allow each athlete to compete, regardless of their injury or illness.
Q. Which sports have been adapted?
A. Adaptive sports featured at the 2023 Invictus Games include archery, cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, athletics, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, indoor rowing, powerlifting, and for the first time this year, table tennis. Learn more about the adaptive sports featured at the Invictus Games at https://invictusgames23.de/en/the-games-2023/sports/.
Q. Why are the Invictus Games important?
A. The Invictus Games, like the DoD Warrior Games, are designed to enhance recovery by engaging wounded, ill, and injured service members outside of traditional therapy settings. The program hopes to inspire recovery and physical fitness and encourage new opportunities for growth and achievement.