2nd July 2014

COLDPLAY’S CHRIS MARTIN PENS ANTHEM AS RED ARROWS COMPLETE MILITARY-THEMED LINE-UP

2 July 2014 – Tickets go on sale from 9.00am today for the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games, the international sports event for ‘wounded warriors’ launched by Prince Harry and coming to London this September.

An audience of 5,000 will gather on the South Lawn of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the evening of Wednesday 10 September for the prelude to the Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover. An exclusive performance of the official anthem, penned by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, is just one of the highlights of an uplifting Opening Ceremony being put together by Kim Gavin, the creative director of the 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony. Tickets cost £12.85 from www.invictusgames.org

A fly past from The Red Arrows, one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams, will add to a military-themed spectacle. On the ground there will be displays by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery – the ceremonial unit of the British Army famed for firing salutes on royal anniversaries and state occasions, including the 41-gun salute for Trooping the Colour – and the Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment), renowned for its unique Continuity Drill Displays performed without a word of command. They will be joined by bands from the Royal Marines, Army and RAF.

The crowd can also look forward to a Competitors’ Parade featuring all 400+ wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women – serving and veteran and from 14 nations – who will go on to compete in four days of sport from 11-14 September. One of those hard in training and hoping to be selected for the British Armed Forces team is Lance Corporal John-James Chalmers of 42 Commando Royal Marines, known as 'JJ', who suffered severe injuries in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2011. The 26 year old from Edinburgh hopes to compete in Athletics and Cycling at the Invictus Games.

JJ says: “The Invictus Games have given a whole international community of wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women something to strive for. For us it's about much more than four days of sport. But come September we'll be ready to show our Invictus spirit in the sporting arena. That all starts with the Opening Ceremony and we hope the public will be there to give us their support. It promises to be quite a show and will set the tone for what's to come."

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, says: “I am delighted that the first ever Invictus Games will take place on London’s newest park and in its world class sporting venues. I’ve no doubt this opening extravaganza will be a fitting curtain raiser for the thrilling sporting spectacle to follow.”

Sir Keith Mills, Chairman of the Invictus Games, adds: "The Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games will be a fantastic way to kick off what we know will be an inspirational four days of sport. The men and women who will be competing have already given so much and we hope the Opening Ceremony will demonstrate to them just how much we recognise this. I'd urge the public to really show their support as well."

The Opening Ceremony will also be shown live on the BBC, the official broadcaster for the Invictus Games. Tickets for the Invictus Games themselves cost £12.85 per person, per session and are also on sale at www.invictusgames.org

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. They will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country. The event will feature nine adaptive sports at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre. Jaguar Land Rover, the Presenting Partner, will be organising a competitive driving challenge. BT, PwC and YESSS Electrical are Official Supporters of the Invictus Games.

Chris Martin is the latest celebrity to get behind the Invictus Games, with the likes of Daniel Craig, Joss Stone, Tom Hardy, Joanna Lumley, will.i.am, Rod Stewart, Stephen Fry, Bear Grylls, Bruce Forsyth, Example, Ricky Hatton, Lizzy Yarnold, Louis Smith, Iwan Thomas and Omid Djalili all pledging their support http://youtu.be/ZmLJAIQZv_Y