USSOCOM Athletes Join Prince Harry and Others for Invictus Games
USSOCOM Athletes participate in the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia.

By: U.S. Special Operations Command Public Affairs, Sydney, Australia - 10/26/2018

  • Sualauvi Tuimalealiifana of Team U.S. rallies his fellow teammates during a wheelchair rugby match at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Scranton)

Athletes from U.S. Special Operations Command are helping represent Team U.S. in the 2018 Invictus Games being held in Sydney, Australia Oct. 18-28.

 

The USSOCOM athletes have joined nearly 50 other U.S. competitors representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps who are competing against 18 other nations from across the globe. The Invictus Games bring together active duty and veteran wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women for an annual international sports competition similar to the Olympics.

 

“Invictus has become about the example of service and dedication our competitors have provided to the world,” said Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, during the Games opening ceremony. “Our Invictus family has turned these games into a symbol of strength, honor and optimism for a new generation.”

 

Nearly 500 athletes are competing this year in 13 adaptive sports over the eight-days of events being staged in Sydney Olympic Park and in and around Sydney Harbour. The events include archery, indoor rowing, wheelchair tennis, powerlifting, road cycling, sailing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

 

Team U.S. has fared well so far at this year’s Invictus Games accumulating numerous medals in cycling, swimming and rowing among others despite bringing a mix of athletes with varying degrees of experience. Wheelchair Tennis doubles partners Navy veteran Chance Fields and Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Williams are a great example. Fields has deep experience in the doubles format event while Williams said he is so new to the game he is still learning the mechanics of moving around the court. Despite the mismatch in experience the duo pulled off a bronze place finish after a tie-breaker comeback over New Zealand earlier this week.  Like many of the Team U.S. competitors they have been able to rely on each other for support.

 

“It’s been hard learning how to play and how to move around,” Williams said. “Chance has been a great help, he tells me what I need to do and I just support him by trying to keep the ball in play.”

 

Field has had more than just his doubles partner to count on for support during the Games. His wife Shelly and brother Taos came from Amarillo, Texas to cheer him on. Austin’s family joined 1000 other family members and friends who have all come to Sydney to attend the games this year in support of the competitors.

 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also among the Games supporters. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have attended the Games making appearances during the opening days of competition and meeting both the competitors and their friends and families.

 

Prince Harry has close ties with the competition. He helped create the Invictus Games after being inspired by a visit to the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado where he witnessed the positive impact sport was having on the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and ill service members.

 

“These games were created for our men and women in uniform designed around their talents and their needs,” Prince Harry said. “And built not just for them but also for the friends and the families that have supported their recoveries and had their lives changed forever.”

 

The first ever Invictus Games took place in March 2014 in the United Kingdom. Previous games have also been held in Orlando, Fla., and Toronto, Canada. Invictus means "unconquered" or "undefeated" in Latin and the name was intended to capture the spirit of the injured service members who participate in the Games.

The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.

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