Invictus Games kick off in Canada: Vancouver honors Ukrainian soldiers with grand gala

On the evening of Saturday, February 8, the seventh Invictus Games will officially open in Vancouver, with the Ukrainian national team among the participants. A day earlier, members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who traveled to Canada for the 2025 Invictus Games, were welcomed at a gala dinner.

This was reported by Rubryka, citing Ukrinform.

Invictus Games opening

The opening ceremony will begin at 23:00 Kyiv time and will be attended by Canada's Governor General, Mary Simon, and her husband.

Also present will be Canada's Minister of Veterans Affairs, Daren Fisher, Ukraine's Minister of Veterans Affairs, Nataliia Kalmykova, and the founder of the Invictus Games, British Prince Harry.

Organizers have promised a vibrant and large-scale event.

"A spectacular, family-style opening ceremony will kick off the Games, featuring performances by artists and celebrating more than 500 participants, honoring their inspiring athletic journeys," the organizing committee stated.

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The Invictus Games is an international sporting competition for military personnel and veterans who have been injured, wounded, or fallen ill due to their service. It was founded by Britain's Prince Harry.

The first Games took place in London in 2014.

This year, for the first time, the Invictus Games will include winter sports and will be held in Canada from February 8 to 16. More than 550 wounded service members from 25 countries are set to participate.

Ukrainian team

The Ukrainian national team is composed of 35 athletes, all of whom have served in the combat zone of the Russian-Ukrainian war since 2014.

In Canada, Team Ukraine will compete in 11 sports, including:

• Swimming,
• rowing on simulators,
• sitting volleyball,
• wheelchair basketball,
• and wheelchair rugby.

Winter adaptive events (introduced for the first time this year): alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling.

The team's first competition will be swimming, set to take place on the opening day of the Games.

Reference

Ukraine joined the Invictus Games in 2017, making its debut in Toronto, Canada, followed by participation in Sydney, Australia, in 2018.

The 2020 Games, originally scheduled for The Hague, were postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19 restrictions and eventually took place in April 2022. In 2023, the Ukrainian national team competed in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Invictus Games Ukraine project aims to create new opportunities for wounded and injured Ukrainian veterans and servicemen, supporting their physical recovery, psychological rehabilitation, and social reintegration. The project team actively promotes adaptive sports as a key rehabilitation tool and advocates for improved conditions to support wounded soldiers.

Ukraine's participation in the 2025 Invictus Games marks a milestone—the team's fifth appearance at the competition, showcasing the resilience of Ukrainian service members.

In 2023, the Ukrainian national team won 34 medals at the Düsseldorf Games: 12 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze.

Gala reception in honor of Ukrainian soldiers

Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers participating in the Invictus Games 2025 were warmly welcomed at a gala dinner in Vancouver upon their arrival in Canada.

"I wish each of you to feel the strength of our team. Whenever you face fatigue or challenges, remember its indomitable spirit and willpower," said Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada, Yuliia Kovaliv, as she addressed the audience.

She was joined by Minister of Veterans Affairs, Nataliia Kalmykova, who emphasized the ongoing dangers of Russia's war against Ukraine.

During the charity gala dinner, guests enjoyed performances by music and dance groups, a fashion show, and an auction.

All proceeds from the charity gala dinner will be donated to support the rehabilitation of veterans in Ukraine.

On August 5, Kyiv hosted an open training session for the Invictus Games 2025 national team, featuring wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and winter water sports. The event marked the preparation of military personnel and veterans for the international sporting competition in Canada in February 2025. Photojournalist Mykola Tymchenko from Rubryka attended the training session.

Additionally, Rubryka reported that the national selection for the Invictus Games 2025 team took place in Kyiv from May 30 to June 3, where national competitions were held in various sports for wounded soldiers and veterans.

Також Рубрика писала, що у Києві з 30 травня по 3 червня пройшов національний відбір до збірної України Ігри Нескорених 2025. Національні змагання з різних видів спорту проходили серед поранених військовослужбовців та ветеранів.