Invictus Games London 2014

Nov 11, 2022
5 Min read
Invictus Games

The inaugural Invictus Games, held from 10-14 September 2014 in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, brought together over 400 competitors from 13 nations around the world. Across four days of intense sporting action, they competed in ten sports in five venues.

Two years on from the spectacle of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, tens of thousands of people returned to pack iconic venues in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This time they were cheering on men and women who just six months prior had been unknown to the public, despite the personal sacrifice they had made on behalf of their country.

The Games started with a spectacular Opening Ceremony, with an audience of 5,000 gathering on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the special military themed opening event. A fly past from The Red Arrows, displays by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Queen’s Colour Squadron and performances from bands in the Royal Marines, Army and RAF kicked off the Games in style.

The Jaguar Land Rover Invictus Games Closing Concert was a star-studded event, featuring the likes of the Foo Fighters, Bryan Adams, Ellie Goulding and The Kaiser Chiefs. It was the perfect finale for an inspirational four days of sporting action.

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Sub Title

Christopher Martin

Christopher Martin joined the British Army in October 2012 as a member of the Corps of Royal Engineers and completed his basic training in 2013 before seeing deployment all over the world.

Chris served as a Communications Engineer in many third world countries and developed PTSD after returning home, he wasn't feeling okay and didn't know how to process his emotions and experiences.

He subsequently attempted suicide multiple times before discovering the power of sport for recovery.

At the Team UK Trials for the Invictus Games in 2019, Chris was first introduced to the We Are Invictus Community and the work of our 'Beyond The Games' programme.

He is now using sport regularly as part of his recovery and thriving as a member of our community - he's tried golf, took part in swimming competitions and completed half and full length marathons.

“I felt like the old me again, I felt like myself and the We Are Invictus Community has been a massive inspiration for me."

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Scotty Darroch

Scotty served for ten years as a Corporal and Training Instructor in the UK Army’s Royal Logistic Corps and has operational service (1995-2004) in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Kosovo.

Scotty had an extremely difficult period during his military career and when he subsequently left the Army. He wasn't aware at the time that he was suffering from undiagnosed mental health issues.

Scotty attempted to take his own life multiple times and it took him nearly 20 years to reach out and ask for help and he was finally given a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Sport became a big part of Scotty's recovery journey and found help through leading an active lifestyle which eventually led him to competing at the Invictus Games and been appointed the Team UK Powerlifting Captain at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.

"My time competing at the Invictus Games was humbling and rewarding and I have found great support and camaraderie from the We Are Invictus Community."

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Taira, the only woman on the Ukrainian team, was due to compete in archery and swimming at the Invictus Games The Hague in 2022. However, her capture by Russian soldiers meant she was unable to take part. Anna-Sofia Puzanova, her 19-year-old daughter, entered in her place and was awarded a bronze medal in archery.

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