HRH The Duke of Sussex, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation has announced that the fifth Invictus Games – to be held in May 2020 – will be hosted in The Hague, The Netherlands.
The Invictus Games The Hague 2020, will bring together over 500 competitors from 19 nations to compete in a series of adaptive sports. Events will be held across the city over the course of a week, with further details to be announced later this year.
“I am delighted to announce that The Hague is taking up the challenge of hosting the fifth Invictus Games in 2020,” said Invictus Games Foundation Patron, HRH The Duke of Sussex.
“The city will soon become the motivation for hundreds of servicemen and women using the Invictus Games to inspire their recovery from physical and mental injuries.
“The Netherlands has supported the Games from the very beginning, and I know that everyone there will fully get behind and support the soldiers and veterans who have served their countries so bravely.
“We have already seen in London, Orlando, and Toronto just how exciting hosting the Invictus Games can be, and I know this will be an incredible experience for everyone in the Hague as they embrace the Invictus spirit in 2020,” he said.
The Hague was selected following a competitive international tender process, with the Invictus Games Foundation Chairman, Sir Keith Mills GBE, noting that, in particular; ‘the bid exemplified the Invictus spirit.’
“Post-War, The Hague has undergone its own process of rebuilding and rehabilitation, a theme many of those competing can intimately relate to,” said Sir Mills.
“A city transformed, The Hague inspired a nation. So too, we believe the 2020 Invictus Games will act as an inspiration to competitors and those attending or watching at home,” he said.
The Invictus Games The Hague 2020 Chairman, Lt Gen (ret) Mart de Kruif, said it was an honour for The Hague to host the Invictus Games.
“2020 is an important milestone for The Netherlands, marking 75 years since liberation,” said Mr de Kruif.
“The Invictus Games provides the perfect opportunity for us to link the past to the present by paying a tribute to wounded, injured and sick service personnel who served, and are serving, the military.
“These role models have shown that the strength of the human spirit is unbeatable,” he said.
The announcement comes as competitors from across the world prepare to head to Sydney this October, for what will be the fourth iteration of the Invictus Games.
Following consultation with stakeholders – including the Participating Nations – the Invictus Games Foundation plans to extend the period between Games to two years. This will happen over the next two games cycles following the completion of this year’s Games in Sydney.
“Ensuring that the beacon created by the Invictus Games remains lit for future generations of serving personnel and veterans is the Foundation’s priority,” said Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation.
“In moving to a biennial Games, the Invictus Games Foundation will use the intervening years to develop knowledge transfer and the sharing of best practice to allow the Invictus Spirit to flourish amongst all participating nations,” he said.
The Invictus Games is the international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve their country.
The inaugural Invictus Games were held in London in September 2014. Since then, the Invictus Games have been held in Orlando, USA in May 2016 and Toronto, Canada in September 2017. The fourth Invictus Games, which will take place in Sydney, Australia from 20-27 October 2018, will welcome over 500 competitors from 18 nations.
The Invictus Games Foundation was established to develop and pursue the event’s global legacy, ensuring that hundreds more men and women around the world who are still embarking on their recovery pathway could benefit from taking part in a future Invictus Games. The Foundation selects the hosts of future Games and oversees their delivery, ensuring they meet stringent quality standards.