WELSH HEROES AT INVICTUS
SIX former serving men and women from Wales have been selected to represent the UK at the 2018 Invictus Games.
They will form part of a 72-strong team of wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel and veterans selected to represent the UK in Sydney this October.
The international adaptive multisport event will be the fourth of its kind since it was founded by Prince Harry in 2014, and will see armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.
This year’s athletes - 64% of whom are new to Invictus - will be unveiled at an event attended by Prime Minister Theresa May held in Horse Guards Parade this morning.
More people than ever before - 451 WIS personnel and veterans trialled 11 sports for one of the 72 places available in this year’s Team UK.
Former Lance Corporal Michael Matthews, from Cardiff, was chosen for the team after being medically discharged in May 2015.
Michael said he is using the 2018 Invictus Games to help him regain his purpose and sense of camaraderie.
“Competing will re-establish a sense of belonging to a brotherhood and evoke the feeling of team spirit in which I had in the army prior to my injuries,” the 31-year-old said.
“I want the feeling that I am serving for my country once more, but in a sport that has helped my recovery.
“It will give me a great sense of pride to once again put on a uniform with a union jack and represent my country and to inspire a generation to show what they think is impossible is actually possible.”
Alexandra McClellan, former Sergeant from Ffynnon Gynydd, Powys, credits Invictus training camps with reigniting her desire to succeed and her passion for sport after suffering a stroke. She was discharged in 2014.
“Since the day my stroke happened I have never fitted anyone’s ‘criteria’,” the 39-year-old said.
“Over time I have become quite lonely, insular and disconnected with everyday emotion and motivation.
“Sitting on that rowing machine at an Invictus training camp I spent the first day trying not to cry as it was so overwhelming.
“But, I felt passion and such a desire to push myself and beat my own goals that has been missing for so long.
The Invictus environment is one where you feel everyone is included - it feels liberating.”
The team will compete in 11 sports: Athletics; Archery; Wheelchair Basketball; Cycling; Powerlifting; Indoor Rowing; Wheelchair Rugby; Swimming, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Tennis and a new sport for 2018, Sailing.
Competitors will continue to train from now until October in various locations across the country as part of Help for Heroes’ Sports Recovery programme and their role to train and develop the team.
Jayne Kavanagh, of Help for Heroes and Chef de Mission for Team UK, said: “Invictus is a powerful demonstration of the dedication these men and women displayed when they served our country.
“It is a celebration of how they confronted hardship but refused to be defined by injury or illness and they all deserve the chance to proudly serve their country once more.
“They have the opportunity to not only continue their own recovery, but to inspire others with their resilience, passion, courage and optimism.”