Farewell Orlando, See You All in Toronto! Prince Harry Closes Invictus Games

The 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando came to a conclusion last night, with a celebratory closing ceremony that praised the efforts of the wounded servicemen and women who competed over the past several days.

Prince Harry began the ceremony presenting Invictus Foundation Medallions to all 485 athletes, before a music performance by Flo Rida, Rachel Platten, Rascal Flatts and a military band. The Prince then returned to the stage to deliver the closing speech, saying his proudest moment of the Games was presenting the Medallions as they were “the real prizes – for the years of intense rehabilitation you’ve put yourselves through to be here.”

He also spoke of the competitors’ heart, ambition to win, sportsmanship, and what they have helped achieve throughout the Games in presenting the case of wounded soldiers to the wider public.

“You are all Invictus. You are now ambassadors for the spirit of these games. Spread the word. Never stop fighting. And do all you can to lift up everyone around you,” Harry said.

"You are all Invictus. You are now ambassadors for the spirit of these games. Spread the word. Don’t stop fighting!" pic.twitter.com/HMaLtC3Wd0

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 13, 2016

Earlier in the day Harry handed out the final medals of the Games, at the wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball, in which the US defeated the UK by 32 points. Dr Jill Biden was on hand to help the Prince present the medals. Whilst at the wheelchair tennis, Prince Harry gained himself yet another fan as he stopped to chat with 95-year-old Ruth and gave her a peck on the cheek.

He also was at the support dog 25m “freestyle” swimming event, that paid tribute to the dogs which provide assistance to wounded soldiers.

We’ll see them all again next year, in Toronto!

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Invictus Games, Military, Prince Harry of Wales, Sport, United States of America, Veterans.