The Duke of Sussex and The Invictus Games: 2014 and 2016-2018, 2020

[Tiggersk8]

A quick reminder/ heads up....

Tickets for Toronto's Invictus Games go on sale Tomorrow @ 10 am EST. All the information can be found @ the Toronto Invictus Games website.

I'm really sorry for not having that link, but this the 3rd straight night of All Nighters & not for anything to do w/me for a change!! Mom really did a number on her shoulder this Weekend putting the Garden in, can't sleep or get comfy to get to sleep, so she putters in the Kitchen. Which happens to be right over my Bedroom, so...Yeah. Anyway...

As someone who has attended a fair share of big Sporting Events over the yrs, I was so shocked when I checked out the Ticket Prices. These Games are actually affordable!!. To start w/half of the Events, roughly, are Free!! Those tend to be outdoor events held in Public Spaces. Like Wheelchair Tennis @ Nathan Phillips Square, which is Toronto's City Hall & Complex.

W/the exception of both Opening & Closing Ceremonies, which aren't that bad for an event like this either (especially considering both will be @ the Air Canada Centre, Home of the Toronto Maple Leafs & Toronto Raptors. Trust me, Ticket Prices for anything else held there are usually a bit higher...), do you have any idea how much the other half of the Tickets cost?

25 dollars across the board for all seating levels of the Venues being used. Yes, you read that right & it took me a few minutes to realize I really was seeing what I thought I was seeing. . They really want these to be a success, but the only way to do it, is to have those Venues full. I mean...This is actually something a Family could do & still not come close to how much just Tickets would cost for a Family to go to a Blue Jays Baseball Game!!

I still don't believe it actually, but I LOVE it!! . Good on Harry & the entire Team for doing it this way!!

Oh & Yes, of course I'll be trying to get Tickets to some Events Tomorrow Morning. Me? Miss out on screaming my head off for Team Canada at something big Sports wise!?! No way!! :) :) :)

[DeeT]

Exclusive article, written by Prince Harry, in today's Toronto Star newspaper. There's also a video with PH and highlights from IG 2016 in the article

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2...nce-harry.html

[hel]

There's a 43-minute special, including an in-depth interview by Lisa LaFlemme of CTV about Invictus here: Prince Harry: Journey to Invictus | CTV News

[Curryong]

Thank you for posting these, Tiggersk8, DeeT and hel. It all goes to show, IMO, how determined Harry is to make these Games a success, for the competitors and their audiences. Roll on Toronto and then Sydney!

[Osipi]

I think one of the main things that stand out for me about Harry and his aim to make the Invictus Games a huge success and a continuing thing is that never once in all of the appearances, the interviews, the videos or events is there any inkling of Harry seeking personal glory or accolades or even a "job well done Harry". He is sincerely in this endeavor for the good of the people involved in the games and their accomplishments and their courage to push on to compete regardless of the odds. There's a bit of a gardener in Harry. He plants the seeds, waters them and nurtures them until the world admires the beautiful plants that grow.

I think also that its a stroke of genius whomever realized that a big part of the words "Invictus Games" are "I Am".

[AdmirerUS]

I just went and visited the Invictus Canada Webpage. I was surprised about a couple of things.

17 nations are participating, which is great. I was surprised though, that there was not an unafiliated participant category, as there has become for the Olympic Games. I had assumed that as Invictus was a recent games invention that it would be progressive in this respect.

Shopping was a surprise. The games are months off and sizes are sold out in many items. Classic items like toques, mitts and scarves are now "while supplies last." But in an innovative twist for online shopping, you can pre-order from the next shipment, are told when stock is expected in and make a choice based on that info. Niiiice.

If you care about these things, the sponsors lists are interesting to see and worth supporting! Go Toronto!

[hel]

I was surprised that they're going to have a driving challenge in the Distillery District. It doesn't exactly have a lot of wide open spaces.

Also, the Toronto Islands, the cycling venue, are currently closed to everyone but the permanent residents and airport traffic due to flooding. Everything was cancelled on the islands until the end of June, but that's been extended to the end of July. Hopefully by then the waters will have receded by then, but it's going to take a massive clean up effort and I won't be surprised if they end up keeping them closed for the whole summer. I'm sure IG has a backup plan but it'll be disappointing because the islands are one of the coolest parts of Toronto.

The organizers have actually done a really good job of highlighting interesting parts of the city by using them as venues, IMO. It's nice to see places like Fort York get some love.

[Countessmeout]

Whenever I see Harry and Invictus he impresses me. Like Senteble, you can see it's not simply a patronage for him. It's not about clocking in the required events. It really his pet passion for him, a baby of sorts. Hearing interviews and seeing him at events for it, you can see it's a work of love for him. He may have spent only a short time in Afghanistan, but you can see it left a deep impact on him. Certainly the best kind of patrinages, the one you can feel passion ooze from. For Harry the heads together campaign is an extension of this work. And maybe why I feel a closer bond with him to the campaign.

I am excited to see the games in Toronto. I agree, great that they have chosen to showcase a range of areas in the city. Be good for the city.

Not surprised much of the gear is already bought out. Surprised the toques aren't

[Dman]

Melania Trump to lead the US delegation at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada:
https://mobile.twitter.com/FLOTUS/st...59685597831168

[Curryong]

That will be...interesting, I'm sure, for Toronto residents and visitors alike! I'm glad to see though, that successive US Presidents are getting behind this project as well as PM Trudeau and others. I hope that large audiences turn up to support and cheer on these brave vets, and I'm certain they will.

[JessRulz]

As has been said many times, politics are not a topic to be discussed here at TRF. As such, all posts discussing the Trumps and his/their/family opinions or policies have been removed.

If you wish to discuss Melania Trump's attendance at the Invictus Games, do so without bringing in any political aspect or those posts will be deleted as well.

[hel]

A while back, I posted about the Toronto Islands, the venue for the cycling, being closed. Happily, they'll re-open to the general public on Monday July 31. I'm actually really excited that the Islands will be given international exposure.

With that said, I really haven't heard any advertising/buzz for the games on local media.

[eya]

'It's our bridge too': Girl, 11, with cerebal palsy pens touching letter to Prince Harry calling for the Sydney Harbour Bridge to be made wheelchair-accessible with a lift in time for the Invictus Games

Girl, 11, with cerebal palsy pens letter to Prince Harry | Daily Mail Online

Bryan Adams and Kelly Clarkson will headline the closing ceremonies at Prince Harry's Invictus Games in Toronto next month.

Kelly Clarkson and Bryan Adams to close Prince Harry's Invictus Games Toronto

Prince Harry shares a good luck message with all 550 competitors from 17 nations who will be competing at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017


https://www.facebook.com/invictuslondon/videos/1413709972082536/


The programme of Prince Harry in Canada

https://scontent.fath3-1.fna.fbcdn.n...e1&oe=5A3FCF63

I Hope to enjoy it Tiggersk8!!!

[Rudolph]

The Toronto organising committee did a great job to put this together. The bar has been set for Australia.

[royal rob]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

The Toronto organising committee did a great job to put this together. The bar has been set for Australia.

We will do a great job but it will be our way. I really don't think the idea behind the games is to outshine the one before. The last thing we need is another event that's all about spending money big name acts etc

[Curryong]

Harry has written the foreword to a book about Invictus Games competitors.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGx9XgxXkAAOo2Y.jpg

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

Yes, attention will be where it belongs on the games. But it's blind to think they wouldn't steal a lot of the press coverage. If she attended her first event with him it would be all over the papers. One could only hope it would lead more people to read about the event.

I've a question here. The Invictus Games are solely Harry's passion and something he put into motion. This year, its being held in Toronto, Canada. I'm sure Harry will be very visible at these games but I'm wondering if any of the events surrounding these Invictus Games would be classified as "official" events (as in listed in the Court Circular). As its on Canadian soil, wouldn't anything "official" have to be on the invite of the Canadian government?

[Ish]

Originally Posted by Osipi

I've a question here. The Invictus Games are solely Harry's passion and something he put into motion. This year, its being held in Toronto, Canada. I'm sure Harry will be very visible at these games but I'm wondering if any of the events surrounding these Invictus Games would be classified as "official" events (as in listed in the Court Circular). As its on Canadian soil, wouldn't anything "official" have to be on the invite of the Canadian government?

All events with Invictus are CC engagements.

At last year's games, Harry got CC recognition for attending the launch of the 2017 Games in Toronto (May 2), for flying from Toronto to Florida for the games (May 3), for attending the Opening of the games (May 8), and for attending the games themselves (May 9, 10, 11, and 12), and for attending the Closing of the games (May 12).

I think the thing that people are forgetting here is that Invictus isn't simply something Harry does because it's a cause he's passionate about. Invictus is Harry at work. He is an official patron of this charity and is "working" when he's attending it. While previous royal girlfriends have attended events that have been personal to Harry or William, this is not a comparable event. Family weddings, graduations, etc aren't the same - those are personal events that get recognition in the CC. Invictus isn't. He's working this event.

[Osipi]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. As always, this is the best place to ask questions and know you're going to get answers.

[Curryong]

A wonderful and inspirational Express article about what Invictus means to her from Sgt Mary Wilson who fought back from depression after being medically discharged following service in Afghanistan.
She lavishes praise on Harry too, for his encouragement of the competitors, his backing and his banter, making them all feel better. She's convinced some of them wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for Harry and his founding of the Invictus Games. It's a real feel-good story, I think.

Harry’s Invictus Games gave me back my pride, says Sgt MARY WILSON | Express Comment | Comment | Express.co.uk