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.