This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29145610
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Prince Harry's Invictus Games open at London Olympic Park | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Invictus Games for wounded servicemen and women have opened at the Olympic Park in London. | |
| The Games, organised by Prince Harry, will see competitors from 13 countries take part in events over four days. | |
| The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge attended the opening ceremony, along with 6,500 spectators. | |
| Prince Harry, who was introduced by US First Lady Michelle Obama, said "lives will be changed" by the Games. | |
| He told the crowd: "Over the next four days we will see some truly remarkable achievements. | |
| "For some of those taking part this will be a stepping stone to elite sport. But for others, it will mark the end of a chapter in their recovery and the beginning of a new one. | |
| "Either way, you can be sure that everyone who takes part on the track, pool or field of play will be giving it their all. And I have no doubt that lives will be changed this weekend." | |
| 'Humbled' | |
| Mrs Obama told competitors in a recorded message: "Some of the most inspiring moments I have had as First Lady have been when I have met with wounded warriors like so many of you. | |
| "You tell me how you are not just going to recover, but you are going to thrive." | |
| She added: "While I can't hide that I hope Team USA brings home a few golds, I want you all to know how proud my husband and I are of you and how humbled we are by your example". | |
| The event began with a shortened version of God Save the Queen, followed by the Invictus fanfare and a flypast by the Red Arrows. | The event began with a shortened version of God Save the Queen, followed by the Invictus fanfare and a flypast by the Red Arrows. |
| The actor Idris Elba read the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley, before the teams emerged to cheers from the crowd. | The actor Idris Elba read the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley, before the teams emerged to cheers from the crowd. |
| The 13 nations appeared in alphabetical order, led by athletes from Afghanistan and culminating in the appearance of the host team from the UK. | The 13 nations appeared in alphabetical order, led by athletes from Afghanistan and culminating in the appearance of the host team from the UK. |
| More than 400 competitors, both serving military personnel and veterans, will go head to head in nine adaptive sports at the Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London over four days from Thursday. | More than 400 competitors, both serving military personnel and veterans, will go head to head in nine adaptive sports at the Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London over four days from Thursday. |
| The countries sending teams were: Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Georgia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the US. | The countries sending teams were: Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Georgia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the US. |
| Invictus Games chairman Sir Keith Mills told the ceremony: "Over the next few days we will experience some fantastic sport from some of the extraordinary competitors you see this evening. | Invictus Games chairman Sir Keith Mills told the ceremony: "Over the next few days we will experience some fantastic sport from some of the extraordinary competitors you see this evening. |
| "I am sure you will all join me in wishing them the very best of luck." | "I am sure you will all join me in wishing them the very best of luck." |
| Inspiration | Inspiration |
| He added: "When Prince Harry conceived the Invictus Games he hoped they would be an inspiration for all of those that have been wounded, injured and sick while serving their countries. | He added: "When Prince Harry conceived the Invictus Games he hoped they would be an inspiration for all of those that have been wounded, injured and sick while serving their countries. |
| "I have no doubt that these games will achieve that and much more." | "I have no doubt that these games will achieve that and much more." |
| On Tuesday at a "curtain raiser" event for the Games, Prince Harry had said he was "starting to feel old" ahead of his 30th birthday next week. | On Tuesday at a "curtain raiser" event for the Games, Prince Harry had said he was "starting to feel old" ahead of his 30th birthday next week. |
| But the prince, who turns 30 on 15 September, also said he sees himself as "always young at heart". | But the prince, who turns 30 on 15 September, also said he sees himself as "always young at heart". |
| He made the remarks at the Jaguar Land Rover site in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where a driving challenge event was taking place as a precursor to the games. | He made the remarks at the Jaguar Land Rover site in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where a driving challenge event was taking place as a precursor to the games. |
| After handing out medals to competitors from Australia, Germany and the Netherlands he said he would probably be celebrating his birthday by getting involved in the Invictus Games in some way. | |
| Prince Harry admitted he had had some "sleepless nights" in the run-up to the games, which are his brainchild and based on the Warrior Games in the US. | Prince Harry admitted he had had some "sleepless nights" in the run-up to the games, which are his brainchild and based on the Warrior Games in the US. |
| "The Americans made it, I stole it, and we made it bigger," he said. | "The Americans made it, I stole it, and we made it bigger," he said. |