‘THESE GAMES ARE LIFE-CHANGING’ Chris Bath reveals Invictus highlights

The Invictus Games host talks highlights and the advice she’d give Prince Harry

Australian journalist, presenter and radio host Chris Bath has seen it all – from covering the ANZAC centenary at Gallipoli to speaking at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Despite her successful career, the humble journalist says she feels privileged to be hosting this year’s Invictus Games Down Under. Why do you feel this event is so important? To me, Invictus is actually not about sport, it’s about love of your fellow man and the love of friends and family because a lot of people who have competed at the Invictus Games have relied on the love of friends and family to get them through. I’m hoping the Invictus Games will be like a great big national hug for them.

What will be the highlight for you?

I love the wheelchair rugby. It’s insane! And it’s a mixed team so it’s a really inclusive concept. I voiced a documentary on the wheelchair rugby team and now knowing all the characters and their stories I have a really soft place in my heart for them. I was struggling to hold back tears watching some of their stories, particularly the mental battles these people have had to face to get back on track.

What stories have touched you the most?

There’s a couple of things that have struck me but one man has an incredible story, and he’s going to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, but he just feels like he isn’t as worthy as other people because his injuries aren’t as bad. It’s often harder for those with injuries you can’t see because they’re the ones that people don’t understand.

Do you have plans to meet Prince Harry and Meghan?

Yeah, I’m really excited to meet them. I’ll get five minutes with them, but I’ll give them gratuitous baby advice, if they

“If these people can do this, what can you do in your life?”

actually are really having the baby ( laughs). My son’s nearly 18 now, so we could bond over that. How do you feel about Prince Harry’s involvement? I particularly admire what Harry’s done with this because he could’ve done his service in Afghanistan and thought nothing more. I also love that he makes sure friends and family get recognised because carers often get overlooked.

Have you interviewed any royals in the past?

In 1988 I was chasing Fergie and Prince Andrew when they came to Sydney. It was one of my first jobs as a reporter and I remember sticking microphones in their faces and I was feeling really nervous about it, but they were so lovely. How do the games make a difference for service people? They were created by somebody who actually did active service in Afghanistan, so these are actually life-changing games for a lot of people because it gives them confidence and hope by breaking down a lot of barriers in the community. Because if you’re living with a disability, it’s not a death sentence and the games are trying to help normalise that.

What have you learnt from some of the veterans you’ve met?

They’re amazed people have respect for them, but I didn’t choose a career where I might be required to put my life on the line for my country. It makes those of us who are watching think, “Well, if these people can do this, what can you do in your life?”