Five-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Ian Thorpe OAM predicts crowds at Invictus Games Sydney 2018 will be inspired in ways they didn’t think possible and competitors will have an unforgettable experience being urged on to do their best.
The swimming great – an Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Ambassador – is well qualified in thrilling audiences, having made his name at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and winning a swathe of Olympic and World titles throughout his career. However, he said, he had special respect for Invictus Games competitors for their determination to overcome visible or invisible injuries sustained while serving their nations.
“Invictus Games is a unique sporting event. It is quite incredible to see people who are already heroes being able to find a new way to inspire,” said Thorpe.
“To be able to see their friends and family come along for the ride, knowing the journey that they’ve taken, is an experience that I think everyone should enjoy and share in.
“I’ve had the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd in Australia, and in Sydney as well. For [competitors] from Sydney and from this country, it’s going to be a joy for you to experience what it’s like to have an entire crowd behind you, willing your performance on, watching you trying to achieve your very best.
“People should get a ticket because they’ll be inspired in ways that they didn’t think were possible. This is one experience that won’t be back to Sydney for a very long time, so make sure you get down there and cheer on our athletes.”
The Sydneysider was an Ambassador for the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando. His passion for the Invictus Games stems from his admiration for the competitors, knowledge of the value of sporting participation and interest in mental health.
“As we understand our minds, and the unconscious mind especially more and more, we understand how powerful it really is,” he said.
“These competitors are shining examples of the strength of the mind. They are an inspiration to everyone to try to maximise their mental health. I try to look after my mental well-being in a number of different ways. I check up on myself on a daily basis just to see how I’m going…and I try to have a strategy to stay on top of things.”
Thorpe will be supporting Invictus Games Sydney 2018 competitors, whatever their results.
“I recognised that for some people just competing was a gold medal,” he said.
“For others, it was just being able to reach the end of the race – that was their gold medal. And, for some, it was all about winning as well.”
Competition at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 is from 20-27 October. Fantastic tickets are still available >>>
David Sygall for #IG2018