For the 500 competitors at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 the Opening Ceremony was a significant and emotional time. The thunder storm and rain added to the anticipation. Read the personal insights from several of the competitors.
Romanian swimmer, Nicolae Grigore, shared his feelings while waiting for the seats to dry.
“Once again we’re going to be part of the Invictus Games family and again with our comrades.”
Archer, Maii Moskvich, the only female competitor from Ukraine added, “I’m proud to be here, it’s a big honour to represent my nation and to be part of the big, world veteran family.”
Denmark’s Tommi Hansen, who is competing in archery and powerlifting, summed up the emotion of the evening.
“Mateship. Being with some of the guys I have been deployed with. Thinking of some of my fallen friends. It hits home, like hell.
“It means that, apart from being injured, I found somewhere to be real again, come together as a person again. Being sort of shattered, when I found out how ill I was. And then finding myself again through sport,”
Team UK swimmer Rachel Williamson added: “You’ve had that time in the military and you just want that camaraderie again. It’s now become real and I’m looking forward to getting out there and competing and just showing everyone what I can do.
“I’m ready, nervous, excited.”
As competitors joined their family and friends after the ceremony it became clear how inspiring the next week of events will be.
Ukraine team captain and flag bearer, Serhiy Ilyntskyi, shared “We have a slogan in our team – soldiers have will stronger than own body.”
All the action of the Invictus Games moves to Sydney Olympic Park on Monday with medals in Indoor Rowing, the first pool matches in the Sitting Volleyball and the start of the Wheelchair Tennis competition.
Invictus Games Sydney 2018