IPC President impressed by Invictus Games

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons has said he was left greatly impressed and further empowered at the role sport can play in transforming the lives of persons with disabilities for the better after attending the Invictus Games The Hague 2020.

During his three-day visit to the Games in the Netherlands – which were delayed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic – Parsons attended Saturday’s Opening Ceremony, watched several sports and interacted with competitors. He also met with event organisers, and members of the Invictus Games Foundation, including its Patron Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. The IPC President also spoke about the role sport can play in driving social inclusion at the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation which was attended by 300 competitors, family members and friends.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “It was a truly fantastic and humbling experience to attend The Invictus Games and witness first-hand the transformative role sport is playing not just in the lives of the competitors, but also friends and family.  The family festival atmosphere at the event was exceptional and like nothing I have experienced previously at a sport event. 

“Through WeThe15 and our joint desire to use sport as a catalyst to make for a more inclusive world for the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities, the IPC and the Invictus Games Foundation are working much closer together, sharing knowledge, learnings, and ideas.

“One thing I will certainly take away from The Hague is the focus Invictus Games has on family. Sport has the power to change the world, but it can’t do it alone.  We’re learning from Invictus; the power of the help that friends and family can give.

“Since its inception in 2014, the Invictus Games has acted as the starting point for several injured war veterans to go onto the Paralympic Games, compete and, in some cases, win medals. The achievements of Paralympic champions such as Ellie Marks, Brad Snyder and Curtis McGrath – who all started out at Invictus – should act as inspiration for those who see their future in sport.”

At the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, 500 competitors are participating in 10 different sports.  The event closes on Friday 22 April.