Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have been in Whistler Blackcomb, BC this week to check out the venues for the first Invictus Winter Games, due to be staged at the Canadian resort in a year’s time.
During the visit Harry had a go at sit-skiing, equipment that will debut in events at next year’s Games.
“The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will offer a global platform to expand the range and profile of winter adaptive sports. With deep respect, I’m also pleased to share that the Games in Canada will be held in partnership with the First Nations, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation with indigenous communities.”
Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will host about 500 competitors from 23 nations from Feb. 8 to 16, 2025.
It will be the first time since the Games were founded in 2014 that Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Skeleton, and Wheelchair Curling will be included in addition to the core Invictus Games sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.
On Thursday the Invictus Games Foundation posted:
“This morning, our Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, along with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex visited the Mount Currie Community Centre on the traditional territory of the Lil’wat Nation. The couple were invited by Chief Dean Nelson and Chief Gélpcal of the Lil’wat Nation to meet their community and learn about their wheelchair basketball program, implemented to bring young people together. The Duke played a short game on a team against Scott Moore, CEO of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 presented by ATCO and Boeing.
Upon their arrival, The Duke and Duchess received a traditional welcome and were presented symbolic gifts for their children. The couple were humbled to be invited, and extend their deepest gratitude to Chief Nelson, Chief Gélpcal and the people of the Lil’wat Nation for their generous hospitality and kindness.”
