11th September 2014

ALL THE ACTION FROM DAY ONE OF THE INVICTUS GAMES LIVE FROM THE LEE VALLEY ATHLETICS CENTRE

11 September 2014

19:15 – The penultimate medal ceremony sees the relay teams of Great Britain, France and the USA and their respective flags step onto the podium.

They are met by Prince Harry who gives them their medals and chants of USA, USA go around the stadium as the American team receive top honours.

It's a fitting end to a sensational start to the Invictus Games and there is plenty more to come over the next few days.

19:01 – Dusk is moving in across Lee Valley Athletics Centre but the athletes have all amassed behind the barriers opposite the podium.

Every medal ceremony is being honoured and every medallist is being given their turn in the spotlight.

18:50 – It looks like the British team have got some cheerleading rivals as their American cousins congregate in front of the podium.

But it's a unanimous applause for Britain's Joe Townsend who makes his way to the top of the podium to collect his final gold medal of the day for his efforts in the men's 400 metres IT4 wheel.

18:43 – The Netherlands' Jack Pastora has just made his second trip to the podium after winning two silver medals in the IT4 100m, 200m.

And his words after sum the day up perfectly: “This is my first time competing in front of so many people and I'm just overwhelmed. It's crazy. Not only the amount of attention it's got from all over the world, but also the number of people attending. It's a great spirit, one big happy family.”

18:27 – What a way to end proceedings in Lee Valley! The 4x100 metre relay had everyone on their feet and saw USA take gold, France silver and Great Britain closing the day with a bronze.

Great Britain's team are draped in the Union Jack flag as they do their television interview while the Germans give out a booming cheer.

A stellar effort in that one and it's all smiles as the teams embrace each other. There's lots of team huddles going on but great to see the crowd are sticking around for the final medal ceremonies.

18:08 – Prince Harry is still meeting and greeting all the athletes involved and causing a stir as he wanders around the stadium.

The 400 metre women's IT4 final saw USA's Kelly Elmlinger take gold followed closely by Great Britain's Susan Cook and Chanda Gaeth also of the USA coming in third.

Coming up is the final track event of the day which will be the 4x100 metre mixed relay final. A great way to end the day and we're sure to hear one final roar from the stands.

17:47 – Not long left now until the final set of events of a great day of action here at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

So far there have been some incredible stories. One of the highlights of the day surely has to be the incredible efforts of Great Britain's Joe Townsend who has just won his fourth gold medal in the men's 400 metre IT4 final.

But perhaps most impressive is the camaraderie on display from everyone involved. From fans in the stands to the athletes on the track and in the field it has truly been a day of moving and inspirational moments that show what is possible in the face adversity.

17:20 – It's triple gold for Great Britain's Joe Townsend who has just won the men's 200 metre wheel IT4 final in an impressive 29.23.

Three out of three so far for Townsend but an inspiring race as all involved make it home.

16:55 – France's Philippe Robert took gold in the men's 100 metre IT2 final earlier and has just added another medal to his collection by taking silver in the 200 metres.

And he said the games are crucial to show that an injury doesn't have to be the end.

“The Games are so important to show that if you had an injury, or you were wounded, you can still do something and show the world you can do it," he said.

It was Great Britain captain David Henson who took gold ahead of Robert but it was amazing to see Derek Derenelagi recover after taking a nasty tumble and get up to finish the race and show the unconquered spirit of the Invictus Games.

16:45 – After finishing second earlier in the men's 100 metres IT1 final Great Britain's Kushal Limbu goes one better in the 200 metres and wins gold.

So far it's been a strong day for Great Britain who currently have six gold medals, five silver medals and four bronzes.

16:29 – Great Britain's Joe Townsend has just claimed his second gold medal of the session with a spectacular performance in the 1500m men's wheel IT4 final.

Townsend showed incredible pace as he crossed the line in impressive fashion and showed the type of form that could see him earn a place in the Paralympic squad for Rio 2016.

16:00 – We're half way through this afternoon's athletics session of the Invictus Games at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

The Prince of Wales has arrived and joins the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry in presenting medals to the winners.

The stands are still bustling and the crowds are making plenty of noise. It seems one section has been taken over by a group particularly enthusiastic school children who are jumping up and down and chanting during every race. Great to see the unwavering support.

15:40 – A great effort from all involved in the 1500 metre men's ambulant IT1 final and a standing ovation as Andrew Grant of Great Britain crosses the line first.

But once again the spirit of the games shines through as the Canada's James MacIntyre comes through last with a huge smile on his face and acknowledges the noise from the crowd as he finishes the race with arms aloft in celebration.

15:23 – Alex Tate, who was injured in Afghanistan in 2012, took the first gold for Great Britain this afternoon in the men's 100 metre ambulant IT1 final and he has spoken about what it means to be a part of the Invictus Games.

“It's a very big deal. When I first got injured was around the time the Paralympics were going on,” he said.

“I thought I'd want to give it a go but I never saw myself competing in something like this within two years.

“I thought it'd be a longer road than this, so it's incredible.”

15:10 – The women's ambulant IT3 final saw USA's Melissa Coduti take on fellow American Tatiana Perkins.

Coduti came out on top but both embraced as they crossed the line and were greeted by a huge contingent of USA fans and school children who gave then an enormous reception.

14:45 – The first field medals have just been awarded and it's all go here at Lee Valley as the Invictus Games gets off to a thrilling and inspiring start and the atmosphere is really reflecting what these games are all about.

The Brits are still making a racket down at the finish line and Prince Harry and The Duke of Cambridge have both joined in and are really getting into it as Joe Townsend wins gold in the 100 metre men's wheel IT4 with The Netherlands' Jack Pastora winning silver and Australia's Mark Urquhart taking bronze.

14:29 – The first medals of the day have been awarded and were handed out by Jaguar Land Rover's Lorraine Rogers.

Great Britain's Alex Tate and Kushal Limbu were joined on the podium by Team USA's Ryan McIntosh. A taste of things to come for the Brits?

14:17 – The men's 100 metre IT2 final has come to a close and was won by France's Philippe Robert.

However, the biggest roar of the day so far came for Britain's Ricky Fergusson who crossed the line in last place.

It was a true embodiment of everything the Invictus Games stands for. Fergusson was tested and challenged but refused to be overcome and enjoyed a rapturous reception from all in attendance.

14:06 – The men's 100 metre ambulant IT1 final was the first event of the afternoon session and a huge roar went up from the crowd as the finalists took their places.

The Great Britain team have all amassed at the finishing line and they certainly made their presence felt as the announcer called the names of Kushal Limbu and Alex Tate.

A deafening silence descended over Lee Valley before the start but what followed was far from quiet as Great Britain's Alex Tate pipped fellow Brit Kushal Limbu at the line to take gold and seal a British one-two.

13:23 – The band and choir lead the crowd in a rendition of God Save the Queen as a beautifully-observed Drumhead Service comes to a close.

Lee Valley is now being prepared for the finals of the Invictus Games athletics which commence at 2pm.

Invictus is Latin for unconquered, a word that embodies the fighting spirit of these men and women and what they can achieve post-injury.

We've already seen that spirit in abundance during the heats and are we are sure to see some inspirational moments in the upcoming finals session.

13:10 – The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines HMS COLLINGWOOD are joined by the choir of the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook to get the Drumhead Service under way.

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry are both present to pay their respects as Chaplain of the Fleet, The Reverend Scott J Brown CBE QHC, pays homage to those fallen in World War I and all affected by the events of September 11 2001.

12:50 – The heats have now drawn to a close and the crowds are gathering for the Drumhead Service at 1pm.

This tradition, which goes back many centuries, is a church service conducted in the field with drums draped in the appropriate colours to create a makeshift altar and is continued to this day.

Great to see so many present to celebrate the 'Invictus spirit' through sporting achievement.

12:00 – Prince Harry arrived early to take in the opening heats of this morning's athletics as the inaugural Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, got under way at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

The international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel is championed by the Prince and kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony last night at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Tuesday saw the first medals of the competition presented by Prince Harry as teams from 11 nations competed in a special driving challenge in both a Land Rover Discovery and a Jaguar F-TYPE.

And it was Australia's Sarah Archibald and Matthew Taxis who clinched the first gold medals at Jaguar Land Rover's Design and Engineering Centre in Gaydon.

The athletics is the first of nine different sports taking place across four days and got off to a great start with fans on hand to cheer on those taking part in the early-morning action.