12th May 2014

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT ‘WOUNDED WARRIORS’

12 May 2014 – Tickets go on sale this Friday 16 May for the Invictus Games, the international sports event launched by Prince Harry that will see ‘wounded warriors’ compete in London from 10-14 September.

40,000 tickets will be available from 09.00am BST at www.invictusgames.org for the chance to cheer on wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women at venues made famous by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, are billed as a unique opportunity for the public to support those who have made a personal sacrifice for others but focus on what they can achieve, post-injury.

Organisers today released the competition schedule, allowing people to start planning their Invictus Games experience. They also confirmed a further 100 competitors will be taking part and that Georgia has joined the list of nations invited to bring a team to London.

More than 400 competitors will now compete in nine adaptive sports including Archery, Athletics, Road Cycling, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby, so popular at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Indoor Rowing and Powerlifting also feature along with a driving challenge organised by Presenting Partner, Jaguar Land Rover. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will host events in the iconic London Aquatics Centre, Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley VeloPark and Here East, with athletics running at Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

The British team will include some 100 competitors, serving and veteran, from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. They will be joined by participants from 13 other countries which have served alongside each other. Teams have been invited from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Iraq, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand and the USA.

One of those making the trip from overseas is an Estonian veteran Corporal Tarmo Lepik who served in Helmand Afghanistan. He was medically discharged after double amputation as a result of an IED strike. Sport has played a vital role in his recovery and he is now looking forward to taking part in the swimming competition at the Invictus Games.

“I can't wait to come to London and compete in front of the UK public at the Invictus Games,” says Corporal Tarmo Lepik, who along with other Estonian Invictus Games hopefuls will meet Prince Harry on his official visit to Tallinn later this week. “Competitive sport has made all the difference to my recovery; hopefully I can inspire others who are just starting on that journey. My family are hoping to be there to support me in the UK capital and, in turn, it's also my chance to thank them for their support.”

The Invictus Games are being organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. The Latin invictus means unconquered, a word that embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel. The Invictus Games will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.

Tickets cost £12.85. For more details and the competition schedule visit www.invictusgames.org