Invictus Games kicks off tonight announcing a Belgian team for the first time

The fifth edition of "Invictus Games", an international sporting event launched by Prince Harry and dedicated for wounded soldiers, starts this Saturday 16 April in The Hague, Netherlands. This is the first time that Belgium takes part of these games.

The Belgian team is made up of 12 active and retired soldiers with different backgrounds. The head of the Belgian delegation, Bernard Bolly, expects the team to bring back home several medals from this first participation. 

The Belgian soldiers will take part in competitions in six individual sports and three collective sports, such as rowing, cycling, various athletic disciplines and swimming. They will skip archery and powerlifting. 

Royal meeting

The 12 Belgian athletes had the chance to meet Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle during the reception given on Friday evening, 15 April. 

"We were incredibly lucky because there were a lot of people. The prince and Meghan were very available and accessible. They don't behave like VIPs," said Bolly.

International event

Twenty nations and some 500 competitors are announced for this edition, after two postponements due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The competition is organized by the "Invictus Games Foundation", under the patronage of Prince Harry, with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Defense and several companies, including the American aeronautics group Boeing.

The Invictus Games are in principle reserved for veterans injured in war, physically or mentally affected. Candidates must belong to the "WIS community" ("wounded, injured and sick personal service") suffering in particular from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), disability, and chronic illnesses.

(VIV)

© Belga Photo (Remko de Waal ANP / AFP) An athlete attends the Invictus Games from 16 to 22 April 2022 at the Zuiderpark, Netherlands