Canadians remember the amazing Invictus Games that were held in Toronto in 2017. Invictus is the international adaptive multi-sport event founded by the man who was known as Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in nine sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.
The spirit of Invictus Toronto 2017 will be kept alive in Canada with the creation of Canada's Valour Games, a celebration of our military families and our ill, injured and wounded service members and veterans. The idea is akin to the Warrior Games in the US. Canada’s new Valour Games will bring the Invictus spirit to locations across the country every two years, starting right here in our nation’s capital.
On Friday, November 6th, Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Lisa MacLeod announced Ontario is contributing $3 million towards the inaugural Valour Games to be held in 2022 in Ottawa. The plan is that every two years a city in Canada will host the Valour Games, for up to 500 competitors, along with their family and friends.
"We owe our veterans and active service members a debt of gratitude for their service to our country," said Premier Ford. "The Valour Games will provide another important opportunity for Ontarians to recognize the skills and excellence of our men and women in uniform and unite our province and country at a time when it's needed most."
Events may include archery, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair rugby.
"Taking place over one week, the games will welcome 500 competitors from across Canada to compete in 10 adaptive sports," said Lisa MacLeod, during an announcement at the Canadian War Museum.
Ottawa can look forward to an exciting week of events. Canadian Forces service members and veterans are used to competing as if their lives depended on it so make no mistake, the competition will be fierce. But the Games also provide healing and rehabilitation for the soldiers who have given Canada so much. They will give Canadians a look at the resilient, fighting spirit of our wounded warriors and their families and an opportunity to thank them for their service.
Premier Ford’s announcement is only the first funding commitment. There is a lot more work to do before these Games are officially a go. That is where Soldier On/Sans Limites comes in, working hard to secure funding from the Federal government. However, they are focused on significant issues right now with the pandemic, so support is needed from donors and other partners to make these games a reality and to celebrate and support Canada’s military personnel who have made great sacrifices in service to their country.
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