Invictus Games The Hague 2020

Jun 12, 2023
5 Min read
Invictus Games

INVICTUS GAMES TOUCH EVERYONE’S HEART

The Hague – The Invictus Games The Hague 2020 presented by Jaguar Land Rover concluded Friday evening with a spectacular Closing Ceremony. The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, Founding Patron of the sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, spoke of an “incredible week.”

The Duke assured the competitors that they don’t stand alone. “We are here with you. We don’t talk about what’s wrong with you, but what happened to you. Bottle the memory and feeling of this week. You have done it. You made your goals, made your family happy. And you leave stronger then you arrived.”

The closing ceremony was also attended by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. In the afternoon, he visited the final of the wheelchair basketball tournament between the Netherlands and the United States and met the Dutch delegation for the Invictus Games.

COMPETITOR FIRST

Mart de Kruif, chairman of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 organising committee, looks back with gratitude on the past week. “We are especially pleased that we have managed to focus on the participants of the Invictus Games and their Family & Friends. That was the starting point, and it’s great that we were able to keep it up. That is precisely what has given us a lot of appreciation.”

The various team managers were very pleased with the past week in The Hague. Hannah Lawton (Team UK): “Due to the corona pandemic, we had to wait a long time for the Invictus Games to take place, but we had such a great time in The Hague. The competitors were at the centre of attention which did our team a lot of good, and made them feel like absolute stars. The fact that the Dutch organisation had chosen for a compact set-up, with everything together in one park, contributed to the success. It worked so well and I can’t wait to see how the next Invictus Games take on that challenge.”

Travis Claytor (Team USA): “We found The Hague to be the perfect setting, raising a new standard. This week, Team USA has witnessed quite a few of our competitors take important steps towards mental recovery in particular and for us, that is the big advantage of these Invictus Games. The camaraderie between the different countries was also great.”

ALMOST 100,000 VISITORS

The sun-drenched Zuiderpark was visited by almost a hundred thousand visitors last week, and the event attracted great interest from the media. With viewing figures on NOS and BBC for the Opening Ceremony reaching high numbers , the daily program on both channels was also well watched. This enabled the Netherlands and the world to once again become acquainted with the special character of the Invictus Games. The event is not about winning medals, but about the road to recovery. Many of them have suffered physical or mental trauma during service. The Invictus Games use the power of sport to help this group rediscover themselves.

Ever since the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 16 April, the atmosphere in the Zuiderpark, which has been renamed Invictus Games Park, has been unique. There was not only room for sports, but also for entertainment in the form of concerts and performances by various military orchestras, DI-RECT, Nick & Simon and Waylon.

ALL THE WHILE, ALLOWING TIME FOR REFLECTION AND CONNECTIONS.

A yellow bench was introduced during the Opening Ceremony. The intention is to have yellow benches all over the world where people can listen to each other’s stories. It is healing when you find, or share, a listening ear. A lasting legacy of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 will be benches set up around the world, with supporting organisations already embracing the idea.

During the event, one of the Dutch Invictus Games participant, Ronald van Dort, presented an award to Sander de Bont, the colleague who saved his life in 2008 during a mission in Uruzgan, Afghanistan. Mart de Kruif: “Such stories make the Invictus Games special, they touch everyone. When you see someone, after 12 dark years, stepping onto the field here, surrounded by his comrades, you know that this is much more than just a sporting event. I am especially proud of that.”

The next Invictus Games will be held in Düsseldorf from 9 to 16 September 2023.

It was also announced in The Hague that the Invictus Games 2025 will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, in Canada. As the first ever Winter Hybrid Games, winter sports will also be added to the program for the first time.

More case studies

team UKR

Vasyl Kabal

Vasyl Kabal is a Ukrainian veteran and member of the Invictus community. After being wounded on the front lines of the conflict with Russia, Vasyl has embraced sport as part of his recovery and as a way to continue challenging himself.

While he still lives with the physical effects of his injuries, Vasyl speaks openly about the emotional impact of conflict, particularly the loss of friends and fellow soldiers. Those experiences have shaped his determination to make the most of every opportunity and continue moving forward.

Through the opportunities provided by the Invictus Games Foundation , Vasyl has connected with other veterans from around the world and found new ways to develop both physically and mentally.

He believes strongly in leading by example and showing other veterans that recovery can involve growth and new experiences and he recently completed a half marathon in Kenya as part of an Invictus Adventure.

Today, Vasyl is focused on representing Ukraine, embracing new challenges and encouraging other veterans to see what is still possible after injury and service.

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Team DEN

Dan Holmstad

Dan Holmstad served three tours in Afghanistan as a combat engineer in the Danish Armed Forces, leading patrols through areas threatened by improvised explosive devices.

Following his final deployment, he experienced challenges that took many years to overcome and began a long recovery journey.

Running and physical challenge became an important part of Dan’s recovery. Setting difficult goals helped him rebuild confidence and manage his mental health.

He soon began to regain a sense of purpose in everyday life and he is now back in work, spending more time with his family and continuing to take on new challenges.

Representing Team Denmark at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 gave him the opportunity to be part of a team again and helped restore his confidence.

Dan proudly won silver at Vancouver Whistler 2025 and recently took part in our Invictus Adventure to Kenya, wanting to challenge himself and connect with other members of the community.

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Team NGR

Gloria Dimka

Gloria Dimka is a serving member of the Nigerian Air Force who became part of the Invictus Community after losing her leg below the knee in a road accident.

Following her injury, she began her recovery journey in the United Kingdom, where counselling helped her come to terms with the life-changing experience.

Determined not to let her injury define her future, Gloria chose to remain in the Air Force. She worked hard to prove that her disability would not prevent her from continuing to contribute and achieve her goals.

Sport became a key part of Gloria’s recovery and led her to compete at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. The experience changed how she viewed herself, helping her recognise her own strength and potential while connecting with others from around the world.

Gloria took part in the Kenya Impact Marathon, completing a 10km challenge alongside other members of international Invictus Community, this was the longest distance she had walked since her accident.

She is resolved to keep pushing herself in her daily life.

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Team NGR

Peacemaker Azuegbulam

Peacemaker Azuegbulam is a Nigerian Army veteran who lost his left leg after sustaining injuries while serving in north-east Nigeria. Following his injury, he faced an uncertain future and spent a long period reflecting on how he could continue to support his family and find purpose in life.

Around a year later, Peacemaker discovered the Invictus Games and saw an opportunity to focus on what he could still achieve rather than what he had lost and sport became an important part of his recovery and helped him rebuild confidence and resilience.

His commitment led him to compete at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023, where he won gold in powerlifting and became the first African competitor to win a medal at the Invictus Games.

Peacemaker has since dedicated time to supporting other wounded veterans in Nigeria, sharing his experiences and helping others navigate their own recovery journeys and has discovered music as creative outlet that helps him share his joy and passion for life.

He recently completed the Impact Marathon Kenya, embracing a completely new challenge and continuing to inspire others through his determination.

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Team UKR

Andrii Kucher

Andrii Kucher is a wounded Ukrainian veteran who was seriously injured while serving with the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade during Russia’s invasion.

After five surgeries left him with limited movement in his arm, Andrii turned to sport as part of his own rehabilitation and found a new mission in supporting other wounded service personnel.

In 2023, he founded the Union of Wounded Military of Ukraine, Strong 300, which supports veterans through rehabilitation, legal assistance and sport.

Andrii has become an active member of the We Are Invictus Community, taking part in sporting events and encouraging other Ukrainian veterans to pursue recovery through sport.

He represented Ukraine at the London Marathon after being inspired by other members of the Invictus Community who competed there.

As head of Strong 300, he continues to advocate for wounded veterans and improve access to rehabilitation and sporting opportunities.

Through his own recovery and his work with Strong 300 and the Invictus Community, Andrii continues to demonstrate how sport can help wounded service personnel rebuild confidence, purpose and connection after injury.

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