Prince Harry pays tribute to victims of terror attack

Royal marks 100 days to next Invictus Games

SYDNEY, June 7, (AFP): Prince Harry Wednesday paid tribute to victims of the London terror attack as he marked 100 days until the next Invictus Games, after it emerged two Australians were among the dead in the latest British atrocity.

Harry, patron of the games for injured and sick service personnel, was in Sydney to promote the sporting extravaganza he said proved it was possible to overcome adversity.

“I would like to start by sending my thoughts to those affected by Saturday’s attack in London Bridge,” the former soldier said as rain pounded down outside Admiralty House, home of the Queen’s representative in Australia Peter Cosgrove.

“Australians form an important and vibrant part of the fabric of life in London and we are reminded of that in good times and bad.

“And our hearts go out to the victims, their friends and families.”

Two Australians were among seven people killed in Saturday’s attack when three men, wearing fake suicide vests, mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge in a van before slashing and stabbing revellers in Borough Market.

It followed the May 22 suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena, killing 22 people, including children.

“When a bomb left a number of people with life-changing injuries in Manchester last month, wounded veterans, including Invictus team members, immediately offered advice and support to the victims through the recovery process,” said the prince.

“The commitment to serve is ingrained in every member of the armed forces and is the embodiment of the Invictus spirit.” The next Invictus Games — which launched in 2014 — is in Toronto this year, before moving to Sydney in 2018. Harry said sport could bring people together and for those recovering from injury, the Games gave them a sense of purpose.

Gatland said he was unfazed by the loss with his main focus on the threeTest series against the world champion All Blacks which begins on June 24.

“Having a really tough game is going to be great preparation for the Test matches,” he said.

“I honestly don’t believe there’s going to be a massive amount of difference between some of the Super Rugby sides and the All Blacks because there’s so much depth in this country.”

The Lions conceded 13 penalties and Gatland said the lack of discipline halted his team’s momentum on attack and the Lions allowed the New Zealanders to offload too easily from the tackle.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen watched from the stands and saw two-time World Cup winner Williams score a try and emphatically lay claim for a return to the All Blacks squad.

Blues winger Rieko Ioane also continued to press his case for selection with his seventh try in six matches.

Prior to kick-off, there was a minute’s silence to honour victims of the London terror attacks, then the Blues performed a haka specially commissioned for the occasion.

The Lions came out of the blocks hard, dominating possession creating early attacking opportunities. Jared Payne came close twice in the first half.

First he failed by a fingertip to catch up with the ball after a kick through, and later was just dragged into touch by Stephen Perofeta as he grounded in the corner.

Skipper Ken Owens said he was “hugely disappointed” that the Lions had failed to take more of their chances.

“I think we’re going to have to tidy up on our discipline and be a little bit more clinical,” the Welsh hooker admitted. Britain’s Prince Harry (center), exhales during a walk in the rain in Sydney on

June 7. Prince Harry is in Sydney to launch the 2018 Invictus Games. (AP)

Although well short of Jan Zelezny’s world mark of 98.48m, set in 1996, Roehler’s throw was the second best of all time, the furthest in 20 years and gave an indication of what’s to come from the 25-year-old Olympic champion.

With ideal conditions set to grace the Italian capital on the 37th edition of the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, Roehler will be looking for more heroics competing from a field including 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, and a trio of world champions in Julius Yego, Vitezslav Vesely and Tero Pitkamaki.

On the track, highly-fancied American Ronnie Baker lines up hoping to hold off the threat of Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut, who has run 9.97secs this year, in the 100m following a wind-aided 9.86secs (2.4m/s) victory in Eugene.

The women’s 100m features a headto-head between Dutchwoman Dafne