LONDON (Army News Service, Sept. 16, 2014) -- Roughly 26,000 spectators showed up Sunday, to give the inaugural Invictus Games an enormous sendoff and pay final respect to all the athletes involved.
Some 400 wounded, ill or injured warriors from the U.S. and 13 other allied nations competed at the first-ever Invictus Games, Wednesday through Sunday. Events included swimming, track and field, wheelchair rugby, archery, road cycling, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting and relay racing.
The ceremony proved festive with musical acts, food vendors, remarks from well-known celebrities and a speech by Prince Henry of Wales, known as Prince Harry.
The prince began by reading a letter from Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"At this closing ceremony of the inaugural Invictus Games, Prince Phillip and I send our heartfelt congratulations to the organizers and supporters of this competition, and most importantly to you men and women of the armed forces who have overcome great adversity just to take part in these games," Harry said, reading the queen's letter. "As I have followed the competition over the past four days, I have been deeply moved by your courage, determination and talent.
"All of you have used the power of sports to enhance your own recovery and to raise wider awareness of the enormous challenges faced by wounded veterans," he continued. "The success of these games can be measured not by medals won, but by the renewed sense of purpose and confidence in your abilities that you have gained. I send my warmest wishes and congratulations to you all."
He then went on to give his own impression of the Invictus Games.
"These games have shown a spotlight on the unconquerable character of service men and women and their families; their invictus spirit," he said. "These games have been about seeing (wounded warriors) sprinting for the finish line, and then turning around to clap the last man in. They have been about teammates choosing to cross the (finish line) together, not wanting to come second, but not wanting the other guys too either. These games have shown the very best of human spirit."
From there, Prince Harry went on to offer a moment of silence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in battle, and said he hopes those with disabilities who are in the early stages of recovery draw strength from the first-ever Invictus Games.
The competitors gathered for the festivities as a team for the last time, and celebrated the games with service members for other countries. Though thousands of people enjoyed the concert, the spirit of the contest remained steadfast.
"This is incredible," said Retired Staff Sgt. Michael Kacer. "Not so much just the concert, but interaction between all the countries. Now we're no longer competing. All the competitions are over. Everybody in every country is interacting with every other country."
"The closing ceremonies have been absolutely brilliant," said Australian Defense Force Capt. Simon Bowen. "I cannot believe the amount of effort that has gone into these games.
"The wounded, injured and ill athletes around the world have come to this area and been welcomed righteously," he said. "Fantastic. I can't say anymore than that."
As the ceremony closed, the athletes boarded their respective buses bound for hotels, and prepared for a trip back to their respective places in the world. Though they competed against each other for gold in the games, the nations are allies above all else, and that idea was not lost on anyone.
The level of camaraderie between all the nations, whether there's a medal or not is just unbelievable," Kacer said.
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