LONDON (Air Force News Service, Sept. 11, 2014) - More than 5,000 people attended the Invictus Games' opening ceremony on the South Lawn of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Sept. 10.
The ceremony included remarks by First Lady Michelle Obama and Prince Harry of Wales; a flyover by The Royal Air Force's aerial aerobatic team, The Red Arrows; a ground display by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and a competitor's parade, giving spectators a look at the more than 400 Invictus Games athletes here to represent their countries.
"I'm looking forward to coming together as a nation and representing (USA Team) and all of us together to show our nations what we've got," said retired Capt. Sarah Evans, who represented the United States in the opening ceremony.
FIRST LADY INSPIRED
The first lady thanked the competitors and their family members in a taped message.
"Some of the most inspiring moments I've had as first lady have been when I've met with wounded warriors like so many of you," Obama said. "You tell me how you're not just going to recover, but you're going to thrive. You tell me you're not just going to walk again, but you're going to run and you're going to run marathons. I've seen that resilience and drive firsthand at the Warrior Games here in the United States, and I couldn't be more thrilled that the spirit of those games is now on display across the pond at the first-ever Invictus Games."
"To all of the competitors here today, I want to you to know how incredible you are. You're inspiring all of us, especially our young people," she continued. "You're inspiring them to believe that if we dig deeper, if we work harder, if we confront the adversity in our own lives with just a fraction of the courage you show everyday, that there's nothing we can't achieve. To all the family members and caregivers in the audience, I want you to know that your courage and support doesn't go unnoticed either. These heroes wouldn't be here today without you."
PRINCE HARRY WELCOMES WARRIORS
Prince Harry then took the stage to welcome the competitors, their families and caregivers, and those in attendance to watch the Invictus Games.
"It gives me great pleasure to welcome the 13 nations to London and to say how delighted that many of you have been joined by your families, and we recognize the vital part they play in your recovery," he said to the competitors. "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 chapter in their recovery and the beginning of a new one."
"Either way, you can be sure everyone who takes part in the track, pool or field of play will be giving it their all, and I have no doubt lives will be changed this weekend," he
said.
SERGEANT READY TO REPRESENT U.S.
Army Sgt. Kawaiola Nahale is among U.S. service members in London for the games and she's preparing to compete Sunday in swimming.
According to her parents, Nahale learned to swim before she learned to walk.
"When I'm in the water, I don't think about anything," Nahale said. "It takes my mind off of a lot."
When she's not in the pool however, there is one thought that's difficult to escape.
"It was about the size of a marble," she said of the lump she discovered in her breast April 8, 2013.
Initially, she said she thought it was a muscle injury, but she sought help from her "angel in disguise," an oncology nurse who happened to be a friend, and the wife of her commander at the time.
Upon further testing, she got confirmation a few weeks later -- it was malignant, and it was cancer. She said the coming months flew by. She was in and out of surgeries, three times to have the cancer removed, and two additional times for reconstruction across the next year.
She couldn't swim anymore.
"It's hard not doing something that you're used to doing every day," she said.
It was through the process of treatment and recovery that she discovered the many programs available to wounded warriors, including swimming competitively. The day she was permitted to swim, she was in the pool, and shortly after, she was competing for her spot in the Invictus Games.
Nahale said it is through her new teammates, her fellow wounded warriors, that she finds a newfound strength and purpose. She often shied away from telling people about her condition, but with the other athletes, that apprehension floated away.
"Some of these athletes are amazing," she said. "I've never seen anything like it until I got into the (Warrior Transition Unit). Seeing these people get up and go, that's what I love the most; that's what I really want to get out of this."
When her teammates push her, she pushes back, she said. The result of which is beneficial to everyone. Everyone is out to make everyone better.
The Invictus Games will challenge the motivation of all involved. It's a brand new contest in its inaugural year, so the teams will experience the stress of international competition for the first time. Though admittedly nervous, Nahale said she is excited at the prospect of competing against the 13 other allied nations.
"Every individual has (an ailment), but we all find a way to come back from it and just see the positive," Nahale said. "We're alive, for the most part we're healthy or we're getting on that road to recovery to be healthy, and we're still around for our families; we're still around to make a difference in somebody's life."
The Invictus Games are taking place, Sept. 10-14, at the site of the 2012 summer Olympics and will feature athletes from 14 nations competing in various Paralympic-style events, including swimming, track and field, seated volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby, among others.
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