Whitehall bids for Brum to host Invictus Games
£26 million to support event for wounded service personnel
THE Government has launched a £26 million bid to host the Invictus Games in Birmingham.
If successful the city would host the international sporting event – launched by Prince Harry – in 2027.
The move comes as a surprise given the costs of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the implications that had for the now dire finances of the city.
However, it is unlikely the city will have to bear much cost for these games as they aim to be self-supporting, albeit underwritten by the Government.
Birmingham is a prime location for the event given its central location and the Alexander Stadium, which was redeveloped for the 2022 event.
The games are a multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, who are either serving officers or veterans.
They seek to “showcase the power of sport in recovery and rehabilitation demonstrating that there is life beyond disability”.
They have previously been held in London, Orlando, US, Toronto, Canada and Sydney, Australia.
The Duke of Sussex will announce where the 2027 Games will be hosted later this year.
Johnny Mercer, the minister for veteran’s affairs, has been campaigning to host the Games again in the UK. The former British Army officer, who was flown to Birmingham for treatment after he was injured in Afghanistan, said he wanted “this to be the best country in the world, to be a veteran, I want us to become global leaders in recovery from conflict”.
“There’s no greater institution in this country that’s done that than the Invictus Games,” he said.
“I want to work hard now to put in a really world class bid to bring these games back to the UK, and have a festival of recovery around that event. I want us to lead the world
when it comes to veteran’s care and this gives us a really good hook going forward to make sure that’s the case.”
He added: “It feels like the right time and the right place.
“The biggest power of recovery has always been in sport, has always been in Invictus and the Duke of Sussex led the way when he set these Games up ten years ago.
“It feels like a natural rounding of the circle to come back to the UK and we’re going to do everything we can to win the bid.”
Papers in last week’s Budget said: “The government, through the Office
of Veterans’ Affairs, is supporting the UK’s bid to host the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham with a £26 million underwrite to enable the bid.
“These Games will ensure injured service personnel and veterans are not forgotten, and will showcase the power of sport in recovery and rehabilitation demonstrating that there is life beyond disability.”
A source said that Harry was “comfortable coming back for British-based Invictus Games”, adding: “We understand the Games have always had the support of the rest of the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex
will return to Britain for a service to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral in London in May.”
One supporter for the Birmingham bid said: “This could provide a timeline for a way in which the Duke and the rest of the Royal family might find a way to come together in support of a worthwhile cause.”
Richard Potter, the Veteran and Team UK member at the Invictus Games, said: “I think you can’t underestimate how important the games have been for my journey.”