Invictus Games in Vancouver, Whistler begin Saturday
Posted February 7, 2025 12:32 pm.
Last Updated February 7, 2025 2:43 pm.
The Invictus Games, which will see 535 wounded, injured, and sick military service personnel and veterans from 23 nations compete in a host of events, begins Saturday in Vancouver and Whistler.
Nick Booth is the CEO of True Patriot Love, the foundation responsible for organizing the Vancouver events as it did for Toronto in 2017. Booth says his is the first organization, and Canada the first country to host the event twice, since the games were created by Prince Harry in 2014.
“We’re really excited. And obviously, it’s the first Winter Games … It’s going to be a very special eight days. I have no doubt,” said Booth.
He says the four host First Nations could not have been more welcoming to the Games.
“There are many members of the armed forces who have Indigenous background, and so it’s a very important tradition for them,” said Booth.
“They’ve done the artwork. People in Vancouver and Whistler, who come into the games, will see this absolutely beautiful yellow, black, and white artwork, which is decorating downtown Vancouver and Whistler as we speak, and that’s the first time ever that the nations have collaborated on a single design.”
Booth says the games are about showing gratitude to all those who serve.
“We have an all-volunteer military. We rely upon men and women to put up their hand and serve in our nation’s uniform. And I personally believe, and this is the reason why I have the honour of being CEO of True Patriot Love, that we owe them a debt of gratitude and a moral responsibility to look after them if they’re hurt. And so I think it will be really special for the public to see these proud, smiling faces when they come into the games, and to be able to thank them for their service.”
True Patriot Love, Booth says, has started a ‘legacy fund’ to invest in adaptive sports programming, mental health support, and veteran employment programming long after the games.
“It’s not just going to be eight days for those men and women. Their journeys of recovery can be long and painful and can be lifelong. I’ve met people who tell me that they’re alive because they took part in the Invictus Games. I’ve met people whose lives have been transformed through participating, but those journeys won’t end next Sunday. “
The Games’ opening ceremonies begin Saturday at 1p.m. at BC Place, featuring performances by Chris Martin, Katy Perry, and Nelly Furtado.
