{"id":220,"date":"2023-04-25T10:51:09","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T10:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inclusivesport.on.worc.ac.uk\/?p=220"},"modified":"2023-04-25T10:51:09","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T10:51:09","slug":"2023-dusseldorf-invictus-games-recovery-through-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inclusivesport.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php\/2023\/04\/25\/2023-dusseldorf-invictus-games-recovery-through-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 D\u00fcsseldorf Invictus Games: Recovery through sport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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While the international sporting significance of the Invictus Games has been exponentially growing, the actual event has a relatively short history in comparison to similar multinational and global sporting events such as the Olympics Games. The Invictus Games were first hosted in London in 2014 to support injured, wounded and sick veteran and active service personnel in their recovery. The multi-sport event was established by Prince Harry, who had been inspired by the American Warrior Games and wished to create a similar multisport event in Britain. The name \u2018Invictus\u2019 was given to the Games to symbolise the \u2018undefeated\u2019 spirit of the participants and the potential road for rehabilitation via sport. Since 2014 the number of participating countries has grown from 14 to 20 and it is expected that the Games\u2019 popularity will continue to evolve with more countries, competitors and sport involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2023 Games will include ten sports, which are archery, cycling, swimming, athletics, power lifting, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and table tennis – to be introduced the first time. These adapted sport activities offer excellent opportunities for wounded, injured and sick ex and still serving military personnel to engage with the Games on multiple levels and compete with other athletes with similar background and experience from different countries. In addition to competitors, the Invictus Games also consider and include relatives and friends. This is because family and friends are integral to competitors\u2019 recovery and reintegration. Furthermore, family and friends often also have to adapt and make changes to their life to help their loved ones\u2019 post-injury recovery journey. In fact, one of the main goals of the Invictus Games is to bring veterans and serving military personnel closer to communities of support and to showcase the \u2018undefeated\u2019 spirit and attitude that is part of their everyday life to the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the British Royal Legion<\/a> is leading the British Team\u2019s selection and preparation. In December 2022 they released a tender for the evaluation of the 2023 D\u00fcsseldorf Invictus Games to gather hard evidence regarding the impact the Games have on the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick ex and still serving military personnel and their families and friends. The Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Research Group teamed up with the Coaching and Performance Research Groups<\/a> and Dr Gabriela Misca<\/a> from the School of Psychology to bid for the tender to evaluate the 2023 D\u00fcsseldorf Games. After multiple rounds, the team effort was successful and our team of researchers have secured an excellent opportunity to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the connections between sport, Invictus Games and recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research will focus on the British team which for D\u00fcsseldorf Games will comprise of 59 competitors, 6 reserves, 11 lead coaches and a number of support staff, assistant coaches, ambassadors and medical personnel. More specifically, the project will centres on the Invictus Game and related recovery experiences of three key groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n