The 2025 Invictus Games was an adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured and ill veteran and active defence personnel, that took place in Vancouver and Whistler in February 2025.[1] It was the seventh edition of the Invictus Games and the first to feature winter adaptive sports.
Development and preparation
On 22 April 2022, Prince Harry announced that the 2025 games will take place in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada.[2] It is the first edition of Invictus Games to feature winter adaptive sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.[2] The bid to host the games was submitted by True Patriot Love Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Canada, the province of British Columbia and the two Canadian municipalities and in partnership with the local Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh indigenous nations.[2] The medal design for the games was conceived by artists of the four host First Nations, Levi Nelson, Mack Paul, Ray Natraoro, and Olivia George.[3][4] Chris Martin, Katy Perry, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado and Roxane Bruneau performed at the opening ceremony, while Jelly Roll, Barenaked Ladies, and The War and Treaty headlined the closing ceremony.[4]
The Games
Participating countries
Afghanistan, participating as "Afghan Unconquered"[NB 1][5][6]
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Colombia
Denmark
Estonia
France
Georgia
Germany
Israel
Italy
Lithuania
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Poland
South Korea
Romania
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States- Team Unconquered - an international team composed of players from the United States, Canada, Ukraine, Belgium, Colombia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, & Lithuania
Sports
There were 11 adaptive sports contested at the Games.[7]
Medalists
Media and broadcast
In Canada, TSN and CTV broadcast the opening ceremony and TSN also had a daily recap show. In the United Kingdom, ITVX broadcast the games.[8]
Notes
- ^ The 'Afghan Unconquered' team joined together with the nations of Invictus, for the first time in 2025, representing expatriate Afghans following the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan. They represent the injured and disabled who served against the Taliban, who escaped, and are now able to compete.
References
- ^ "Invictus Games bring community, inspiration and purpose to B.C." CBC. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ a b c Karstens-Smith, Gemma (22 April 2022). "Invictus Games to feature winter sports for 1st time when Vancouver, Whistler host in 2025". CBC News. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ "Invictus Games bring meaningful Indigenous inclusion at major international event". CBC. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ a b Derdeyn, Stuart (6 February 2025). "Invictus Games: What you need to know about the opening and closing ceremonies". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ "Afghan Unconquered Joins the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025: A Story of Resilience and Brotherhood". Invictus Games 2025. 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Afghan Unconquered Joins the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025: A Story of Resilience and Brotherhood". Invictus Games Foundation. 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Sports and Venues". www.invictusgames2025.ca. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ "How You Can Watch the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025". www.invictusgames2025.ca. Retrieved 8 February 2025.