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Post by Admin on Sept 11, 2014 0:36:01 GMT
Prince Harry has hosted a party to welcome wounded servicemen and women to the UK ahead of the opening ceremony of the inaugural Invictus Games. He thanked competitors for embracing the games "so enthusiastically", while US president Barack Obama also wished teams well in a video message. More than 400 competitors from 13 countries will take part in the first Invictus Games over four days. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will host the opening ceremony later. The competition is the brainchild of Prince Harry with competitors - many with missing limbs or other serious injuries - due to compete for medals in nine different adaptive sports.  The sports include athletics, wheelchair basketball and rugby, sitting volleyball, archery, powerlifting, swimming, indoor rowing and road cycling. The name of these games comes from the poem Invictus, published in 1888 by William Ernest Henley. He was an amputee himself. Invictus means unconquered and it is clear to see why this is so relevant to the hundreds of competitors descending on the Olympic park this week. The British Armed Forces team is made of more than 100 determined men and women whose lives have been changed by war. Some have lost limbs, some have suffered long term injuries, others are struggling with the mental scars of the conflicts they have experienced. But, from the athletes I have spoken to, these games have given them that focus, that drive to succeed. They're pragmatic, realistic about their future - to quote one of the competitors, Josh Boggi who lost three limbs in an explosion back in 2010, the hardest thing for him is chopping onions. And don't dare call him a hero.  The prince hosted the party for competing teams, their families and supporters at the US ambassador's official residence, Winfield House, in London's Regent's Park. He thanked teams for "coming all this way", adding: "You really have no idea what you've let yourselves in for." In a video message to athletes at the party Mr Obama also paid tribute to the teams, telling the competitors "Your incomparable souls inspire us today". "I know it's going to be a fiercely competitive few days, but the truth is that everyone of you in these games, every service member and veteran, has already earned our highest admiration and our deepest gratitude," the president said. |
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Post by Admin on Sept 12, 2014 21:54:42 GMT
 With England rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson on their team, they faced off against equally star-studded opposition featuring Zara’s husband Mike Tindall and Olympic gold medallists Dame Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis. Zara, 33, and Mike, 35, proved all is fair is love and war as they plotted to out-do each other on the court at the Copper Box arena in London’s Olympic Park in front of 7,000 screaming fans at the Invictus Games. “There’s been a bit of hanging onto his chair and making him take me along with him,” said Zara, who felt her husband and cousin had an advantage. “I think people with long arms go faster. He and Mike are good because they’ve got long arms.” She and Harry played for the Invictus team, managed by another England rugby legend, Jonny Wilkinson, while their opponents, Endeavour, were coached by Sir Clive Woodward, who led England to rugby World Cup glory in 2003.  Few disabled sports are as brutal as wheelchair rugby, which can see athletes upended and suffer further injuries. “I think that wheelchair rugby is just about the most exciting game anybody can watch,” London Mayor Boris Johnson said. “This is nothing like rugby. It’s far more dangerous, far more exciting.” Harry scored the first try after 12 seconds and, despite getting sin binned for a foul, led his team to an 8-6 victory.  The Prince's teammate Jason Robinson said: “Somebody had to be sin-binned. It was either going to be him or Mike Tindall. Fair play to Harry – whatever he does he gets stuck in. He gives 100 per cent. “It was great that he could get over the line for that first score.” He added: “Harry loves his rugby. It is the first time he has played wheelchair rugby. But the whole event – he deserves a huge pat on the back for what he has done.“ The England World Cup winner said he had found the wheelchair version of the game hard work. “I’ve had a few collisions in my time. We were toying at it, but when it is played at the level it should be played it is a brutal game. I have been  buckets. But it is great fun,” he said. |
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Post by Admin on Sept 14, 2014 0:10:07 GMT
The Mayor of London and Harry, who has masterminded the Paralympic-style event, were snapped laughing and cheering as they watched British and Australian wheelchair rugby teams battle it out for the top spot in the medals table at the Olympic Park in east London. The pair were also joined by Prime Minister David Cameron, who soaked up the atmosphere while watching Britain beat Denmark in their opening wheelchair rugby match at the Copper Box Arena.  Praising the "absolutely world class" Games, Mr Cameron told Forces TV he found the opening ceremony and the presence of wounded troops from allied nations a moving experience. "It was very moving at the opening ceremony to have not just Afghanistan here but also the people that we have served alongside: the Danes, the Estonians, the Americans, the Canadians," he said. "I found it an incredibly moving ceremony and I think what's important now is to try and secure it for the future. "There are more than 400 wounded, sick and injured military personnel from 13 countries competing in nine track and field events over four days, as masterminded by Prince Harry. "And what's exciting is that other countries are now coming forward and saying 'we would like to host an Invictus Games as well', and I think there's every chance that this can become a real institution and a huge achievement for Prince Harry." He added that a British city could also host another Invictus Games in the future.  Mr Cameron continued: "I think the enthusiasm that the other teams have come here with, and the fact that we are putting on such a good show, I think you will see other countries come forward. "In any event, I think there will be an appetite to host this again in Britain. So I hope the Invictus Games will now become a really important part of the landscape." Mr Cameron's comment will be music to the ears of Harry - whose dreams are becoming a reality - after he organised the event to recognise the generation of troops who have returned from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts with life-changing injuries. |
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Post by Admin on Sept 15, 2014 23:12:39 GMT
 She's no stranger to performing on stage in scantily-clad outfits. So it was no surprise to see Ellie Goulding kept up her signature risque stage style, even when performing for royalty at the Invictus Games Closing Ceremony. The super fit singer put on a high-energy performance at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park before cosying up to games organiser Prince Harry backstage. Following an appearance on the front row at London Fashion Week earlier on Sunday, Ellie dashed to East London to get ready for her big moment. After wearing a leather skirt and sheer top at TopShop Unique, Ellie changed into a black cropped top and white trousers as she performed her hits I Need Your Love and Burn. Backstage, she was spotted catching up with Prince Harry, who she's been friends with for several years.   Ellie famously performed at his brother Prince William and wife Kate Middleton's 2011 wedding reception. Last month, Ellie also nominated the prince to do the ice bucket challenge after taking on the freezing charity task herself. Rather awkwardly on Sunday, she was interviewed by ex-boyfriend, presenter Greg James for the BBC live coverage of the ceremony. |
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buckets. But it is great fun,” he said.