The Hamilton Spectator

Melania Trump to attend Invictus Games

- DARLENE SUPERVILLE WASHINGTON

— Melania Trump has booked her first solo foreign trip as first lady, leading the U.S. delegation to Toronto in late September for Olympics-style games for wounded military personnel.

The first lady, who has been keeping a low profile, said Thursday that she’s honoured by the opportunit­y to represent the United States at the Sept. 23-30 event.

Mrs. Trump said she has been “heartened by the great success” of the Invictus Games, which were establishe­d in 2014 by Britain’s Prince Harry for sick and wounded service members from around the world.

London was the setting for the first competitio­n in 2015, followed by Orlando, Fla., last year.

More than 550 individual­s from 17 countries are expected to compete in 12 sports in the September games.

The figure includes about 90 American athletes.

“In just two short years, the Invictus Games have allowed thousands of injured and wounded servicemen and women from many different countries to participat­e in adaptive sports competitio­ns, something that should be lauded and supported worldwide,” the first lady said.

Adaptive sports are sports that are modified for people with disabiliti­es.

Jill Biden, wife of then-vice-president Joe Biden, led the U.S. delegation to the inaugural games in London as part of a military initiative she led with Michelle Obama, the former first lady.

Mrs. Obama helped kick off the 2016 games in Orlando.

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