The Prince Harry-championed Invictus Games for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women will see 400 competitors from 14 nations take part in an inspirational sporting event and bring with it powerful stories of survival in the face of adversity.
Rekindling the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics, the first Invictus Games has enlisted former London 2012 venues for sporting duty. The Games will demonstrate the important role sport can play in rehabilitation as well as generating a wider understanding and respect for the Armed Forces personnel and veterans who risk their lives for their country.
An Opening Ceremony in the open air will set the tone with music, a fly past from the Red Arrows, a 41-gun salute, military demonstrations and a Competitors' Parade on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Wednesday 10 September from 6.30pm.
Four days of sport then roll out like this:
- As the Olympic Stadium is still undergoing redevelopment ready for its post-Games life, the Athletics events which open the Invictus Games will take place a bit further north in Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Edmonton, on Thursday 11 September from 2pm.
- Watching the Wheelchair Rugby was one of our highlights of the Paralympics so we highly recommend bagging tickets to see the Invictus Games' "Murderball" teams clash at the Copper Box Arena on Friday 12 September from 8.30am.
- The former 2012 Press and Broadcast Centre is now 'maker centre' Here East but will be transformed again to host Archery on Friday 12 September from 10am.
- Road Cycling will be contested on the new road race track around the beautiful Olympic Velodrome at the Lee Valley VeloPark on Saturday 13 September from 9am.
- Wheelchair Basketball bounces round the Copper Box Arena on Saturday 13 September from 9am.
- Here East has the Indoor Rowing on Saturday 13 September from 10am.
- The Swimming is at Zaha Hadid's Aquatics Centre with individual races over 50m and 100m and a bunch of exciting team relays taking place in the "pool of champions" on Sunday 14 September from noon.
- Across the park, the Sitting Volleyball tournament takes place in the Copper Box Arena on Sunday 14 September from 8.30am.
- And incredible strength will be on show at Here East for the Powerlifting on Sunday 14 September from 10am.
The Invictus Games take place 10-14 September at Lee Valley Athletics Centre and venues on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Tickets for sports sessions and the Opening Ceremony are £12.85+bkg fee. The closing concert is now sold out.
