Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
■ Melania Trump tells Invictus athletes to “bring home the gold.”
Wounded military, vets on U.S. team urged on
TORONTO — U.S. first lady Melania Trump on Saturday encouraged the American team participating in an Olympic-style competition for wounded service members and veterans to take their “fighting spirit” and “bring home the gold.”
The first lady shook hands with some of the athletes and posed for photos before she departed for her next appointment: a reunion with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose country is hosting the games; his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau; and two of the couple’s three children. Mrs. Trump had seen Trudeau this week in New York during the U.N. General Assembly. She was also attending the opening ceremony.
Her first piece of business after arriving earlier Saturday was to visit with Prince Harry.
President Donald Trump was spending the weekend at his golf club in central New Jersey.
Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Trump, said the first lady and Prince Harry chatted about the competition during their approximately 20-minute meeting and joshed about which country would take home the most medals. She also invited him to the White House the next time he visits Washington.
Mrs. Trump led a U.S. delegation to the third annual games that included Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, professional golfer Nancy Lopez and entertainer Wayne Newton, a celebrity spokesman for a memorial to honor American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.
Prince Harry, a military veteran who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, established the Invictus Games in 2014 for sick and wounded service members and veterans from around the globe. More than 550 people from 17 countries are expected to compete in various sports, ranging from cycling to wheelchair tennis to sitting volleyball, during the weeklong competition.
Mrs. Trump’s participation continues White House involvement with the games, which began during President Barack Obama’s tenure.