Invictus Games Sydney 2018

Feb 26, 2023
5 Min read
Invictus Games

It was ‘Game On Down Under’ when Australia welcomed competitors and their family and friends for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.

Sydney hosted 491 competitors and 1,000 family and friends from 18 nations from 20-27 October. The Games featured medal competition in 11 sports alongside Golf and Wheelchair Tennis with events held across Greater Sydney, including Sydney Olympic Park and Sydney Harbour.

Following the Games, organisers welcomed research that shows seven of every ten Australians want to play a role in supporting veterans.

The Games won the hearts and minds of the nation when almost 500 wounded, injured and ill veterans and serving defence personnel from 18 nations showcased the unconquered human spirit across eight days of fierce but friendly competition.

“The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 has been an excellent opportunity to shine a light on the healing power of sport and to demonstrate what is possible when you focus on ability,” says Chairman of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Ret’d). “More than 100 thousand people witnessed first hand the inspiring feats of our competitors and millions more shared their journey across social and media channels.

“The challenge now is for us to mobilise the 70% of Australians who are ready to get involved,” said Leahy. “To that end we’re calling on all levels of government and our ex-services organisations to ensure they connect those Australians through programs and projects that will engage and integrate our defence personnel in their communities.”

Research conducted two weeks after the closing ceremony also showed 86.5% of all adults nationally were aware of the Invictus Games and 90% of those agreed the Games has the power to make a significant difference in the lives of those involved.

“Significantly there are 3.6 million Australians who now know a lot about the Invictus Games and that knowledge should translate into action to support activities that embrace our veterans and their families as they travel the road of recovery and rehabilitation,” says Leahy.

The end of the Invictus Games marks the beginning of a legacy to ensure long-term support for our defence community. The focus will now be to establish and increase employment, education, sporting and rehabilitation opportunities for Australian veterans.

“Throughout the Games we saw the very best of the human spirit on and off the sporting field. I hope that every Australian has taken away something positive from these Games and has a greater understanding of service and sacrifice, and the importance of looking after our wounded, injured and ill veterans and their families and friends,” says Leahy.

“The Games has also brought together an incredible community of partners from across government, the commercial and corporate sectors to support the health and well-being of our people.”

One of the many initiatives from the Games is the establishment of Veteran Sport Australia (VSA) which will focus on supporting, enabling and enhancing the many great initiatives provided across the ex-service organisations while helping veterans and their families connect to those opportunities.

In the short term, the program will help veterans access sporting opportunities whether through local organisations and competitions, training and development or via pathways to events like the Paralympic Games, Invictus Games and Warrior Games. VSA will also look into the establishment of national sporting competitions for veterans.

In the long term, the VSA program will work with national sporting organisations to ensure access to more sports for wounded, injured and ill veterans. VSA will also collaborate with other groups to develop wellbeing activities such as yoga and art.

“This program will ensure more Australians, and specifically those Australians who have served our country, benefit from the power of sport to assist rehabilitation,” says James Brown, President NSW RSL.

“It will also raise the profile of initiatives that support those living with a disability or managing their mental health.”

“It has been such an honour to compete in the Invictus Games,” said Australian 2018 Invictus Games Team Co-Captain Nicole Bradley. “I hope these Games shine a brighter light on mental health and what people can achieve and overcome when they’re supported. That’s the one message I hope spectators and people who have watched at home will take away from the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.”

Sydney welcomed more than 1,000 family and friends from 18 nations to the Invictus Games to recognise the crucial role they play in the recovery and rehabilitation off their loved ones. They were cheering in the stands along with 105,000 spectators who were inspired by the courage and camaraderie on display.

“These Games belong just as much to the family and friends of all the competitors, as they do to the servicemen and women.,” said Bradley. “Our families and friends have been there every step of the way through the highs and lows of a physical or psychological injury and it just goes to show that you don’t achieve great things on your own, you achieve great things with support.”

Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, The Duke of Sussex, says the Invictus spirit has become “a symbol of strength, honour and optimism for a new generation.”

“The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 has been an excellent opportunity to shine a light on the healing power of sport and to demonstrate what is possible when you focus on ability”

Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Ret’d)

Chairman of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018

More case studies

Team Canada

Darrell Ling

Darrell Ling is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

He joined the Navy as a marine electrician, serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) between 1986 and 1992. His involvement in various military responses over this time, including the Swissair flight 111 crash and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, had a major impact on Darrell’s mental health. In 2016, he was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress and major depressive disorder.

Darrell's injuries contributed to further isolation and eventually homelessness. Determined to put his life back together, he reached out to other veterans in Canada with whom he was able to build meaningful bonds.

This eventually led him to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, where he successfully took part in the archery, indoor rowing and wheelchair basketball.

Beyond the Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Foundation also offers opportunities for recovery through sport and adventurous challenge, facilitated by the platform We Are Invictus. Darrell has taken part in numerous We Are Invictus opportunities, including several virtual London Marathons and the IGF Powered by Invictus virtual Rowing league. Having experienced the benefits of competing, first hand, he now feels passionate about inspiring others to see sports as a path to recovery.

Find out more
Team USA

Gabriel 'Gabe' George

Gabriel (Gabe) George is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Gabe, also known as ‘the One-Armed Archer’, joined the U.S Navy in 2004 having trained as a corpsman. He spent two years on ship and served behind the wire at Guantanamo Bay.

In April 2008, he was hit by a driver whilst riding his motorbike. After spending three weeks in a coma, Gabe was left with a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage and a paralysed right arm, which required amputation. After the accident, Gabe realised he could still engage in sports, including archery. He learned how to use a device which allowed him to fire a bow by pulling the string with his teeth and went on to compete at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 as part of the Team US archery, swimming and indoor rowing teams.

Despite his numerous serious injuries, Gabe maintains a positive outlook on life and is involved with various organisations, focused on helping other wounded veterans.

Find out more
Team UK

Tom Folwell

Tom Folwell is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Former sapper in the army, Tom Folwell competed at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, captaining Team UK’s wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball squads, as well as competing in sitting volleyball.

Tom served in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2015, losing both his legs in a bomb blast whilst on foot patrol in Helmand Province. Standing on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) left Tom with life-changing injuries and brought his career to an end. The situation worsened as medics, headed for Birmingham, had to stop off in Cyprus so that they could tend to a blood clot that Tom had subsequently developed.

Since then, Tom’s recovery has also involved battling with sleep apnoea which developed as a result of the injury. This had a serious impact on his wellbeing but gave rise to his renewed appreciation for sport, in particular an interest in Wheelchair Rugby.

Beyond the Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Foundation also offers opportunities for recovery through sport and adventurous challenge, facilitated by the platform We Are Invictus. Not only has Tom competed in the Invictus Games but he has also taken part in virtual activities such as the Powered by Invictus Sitting Volleyball leagues. These opportunities helped to reinvigorate him, reminding him of how important it is to keep learning and improving.

Find out more
Team UK

Vicki Ross

Vicki is is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Former Warrant Officer, Victoria (Vicki) Ross, won gold in indoor rowing at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020. She also competed as part of Team UK’s Wheelchair Rugby team, securing silver after being narrowly beaten by the USA.

Vicki experienced a number of injuries during her time in the Army, including nerve damage, shoulder impingement and knee surgery, all of which left her with acute anxiety. Feeling physically, mentally and emotionally challenged, her journey to the Invictus Games gave her a new focus. It allowed her to explore her potential within an unfamiliar environment and ultimately rediscover the person she once was.

Beyond the Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Foundation also offers opportunities for recovery through sport and adventurous challenge, facilitated by the platform We Are Invictus. Vicki has also competed in various Powered by Invictus virtual leagues such as cycling, rowing and sitting volleyball.

Find out more
Team Australia

Brooke Mead

Brooke Mead enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy at the age of 18, and soon after, she was deployed to Operation Resolute, taking part in missions to recover the bodies of asylum seekers.

Unfortunately, her career in the Armed Forces was cut short when she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and experienced a spinal cord injury, leading to her medical discharge.

However, Brooke’s most challenging battles lay ahead of her and in an effort to enhance her physical and mental well-being, she turned to sports, recognising the need for a goal.

In May 2021 she applied to compete at the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023, hoping to find purpose and motivation through competition. Since then, Brooke has shed 50 kilograms and rehabilitated her spinal cord injury so well that they recently removed her spinal cord stimulator.

During her ongoing recovery, Brooke has discovered a passion for supporting fellow veterans, promoting sports as a catalyst for healing and she finds deep fulfilment in motivating others on their journey towards healing.


Find out more