Invictus Games

We are a founding partner of WeThe15 - sport’s biggest ever human rights movement to end discrimination. We aim to transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities who represent 15% of the global population.

Launching at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, WeThe15 plans to initiate change over the next decade by bringing together the biggest coalition ever of international organisations from the world of sport, human rights, policy, communications, business, arts and entertainment.

At a time when diversity and inclusion are hot topics, the 15% who have a disability want effective change to remove the inequality and inactivity. Like race, gender and sexual orientation, we want to have a movement all persons with disabilities can rally behind. A global movement that is publicly campaigning for disability visibility, inclusion and accessibility.

WeThe15 will shine a light on 15% of the world’s population. It will build greater knowledge of the barriers and discrimination persons with disabilities face on a daily basis at all levels of society. By doing so we will break down these barriers so all persons with disabilities can fulfil their potential and be active and visible members of an inclusive society.

What do we want to achieve?

To end discrimination and transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities so they can be visible and active members of an inclusive society.

What are our objectives?

1. Put persons with disabilities at the heart of the diversity and inclusion agenda

2. Implement a range of activities targeting governments, businesses and the public over the next decade to drive social inclusion for persons with disabilities

3. Break down societal and systemic barriers that are preventing persons with disabilities from fulfilling their potential and being active members of society

4. Ensure greater awareness, visibility, and representation of persons with disabilities

5. Provide education on the social model of disability to dispel global societal and cultural misconceptions and explain that disability is created by societal and systemic barriers rather than an individual’s impairment

6. Promote the role of assistive technology as a vehicle to driving social inclusion

Why now for WeThe15?

With COVID-19 disproportionately impacting persons with disabilities, now is the time to act. As the world aims to build back better post-pandemic, we must align everyone with the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations and ensure we do not leave one billion persons with disabilities behind.

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Founding Organisations

"One of the reasons why I was inspired to create the Invictus Games was to help destigmatise physical and invisible injuries and give the men and women who have experienced them a platform to show the world that they and we can accomplish anything, when we put our mind to it. Everybody at the Invictus Games Foundation is honoured to join the WeThe15 campaign and believe in its mission to inspire meaningful change in communities around the world."

Canada

Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025

It was back to Canada for the seventh Invictus Games and the historic debut of winter sports with the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

This was the first Invictus Games to be held across two sites with the city of Vancouver hosting 6 adaptive sports and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the winter sports resort of Whistler introducing 5 winter sports to the Invictus Games Community.

In total, 23 Nations and 534 competitors came to this Games and the Opening Ceremony set the record for the highest attendance ever at an Invictus Games with 40,000.

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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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Team UK

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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Team Ukraine

Yulia (Taira) Paievska

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

Yulia (Taira) Paievska, is a Ukrainian solider, paramedic and founder of the volunteer ambulance corps, ‘Tiara’s Angels.’ The injuries she sustained during her tour of duty meant both of her hips had to be replaced with titanium endoprostheses, and she was left to cope with partial disability.

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.

Taira was released from captivity in June 2022 and since then has become an international symbol of bravery and sacrifice and finally competed at the Invictus Games at Düsseldorf 2023.

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Germany

Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023

The city of Düsseldorf was transformed into 'A Home For Respect', when it welcomed the Invictus community to Germany for the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.

Düsseldorf hosted 550 competitors and their friends and family from 21 nations from the 9-16 September 2023. The sixth Invictus Games hosted medal competitions in 10 sports and featured the Invictus Games debut of Table Tennis. Düsseldorf 2023 made history as it was the first Invictus Games to feature participating nations from South America and Africa with the respective debuts of Colombia and Nigeria.

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#WeThe15

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