Could the Invictus Games be heading for a peacetime Ukraine in the near future?
The outgoing CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF) has expressed hopes of holding the event in Ukraine as soon as possible after the war ends.
Dominic Reid, who will leave his role at the end of February, highlighted the significant challenges Ukraine faces in rehabilitating its wounded veterans.
He stated that there are "100,000 amputees in Ukraine" which he described as a "colossal burden" for the country.
The 2025 Games concluded in Canada on Sunday, with the next event scheduled to be held in the UK in July 2027.
In a wide-ranging interview with BFBS Forces News, Mr Reid criticised the limited media coverage of the Invictus Games in the UK, expressing his disappointment.
"I'm not at all happy," he said. "Everybody that I speak to says they find it hard to access [the Games], and even in previous Games when we've had coverage, there hasn't been enough focus on the sport itself.
"This is all about explaining to the public what we know to be the truth. So, I would like to see much, much more coverage."
In January, the IGF announced a deal had been reached with ITV to become the official UK broadcaster, describing it as an "exciting collaboration." A spokesperson from IGF said ITV had delivered on their contract obligations.
On the final day of the Games, Mr Reid also revealed that a formal expression of interest had been received from the Republic of Korea to host the 2029 Invictus Games.
"The 2029 process is now officially open, and we've had a formal expression of interest from the Republic of Korea, and I think that's fascinating.
"There's a lot involved in hosting the Games, and I think an event in Asia would be really interesting," he added.
"It requires the full backing of a government – and we know that's the case in Korea."
The 2025 Games, jointly held in Vancouver and Whistler, marked the first inclusion of winter sports in Invictus history. Mr Reid praised the impact of this addition on the recovery process for wounded service members.
"This has undoubtedly been the best Games so far," he told reporters.
"Winter sports bring two really critical elements to rehabilitation: the outdoor environment and the calmness that comes with it, as well as calculated risk-taking. It's been absolutely fantastic."
At the closing ceremony, UK government representative Al Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, received the Invictus flag, symbolising the formal handover to the UK for the 2027 Games in Birmingham.
Mr Carns praised Canada's efforts in hosting the Games and expressed confidence that Birmingham would rise to the occasion.
"Of course, these are big shoes to fill, but we've successfully hosted major events like the Commonwealth Games, and I have no doubt that the people of Birmingham will fully support Invictus 2027."
In the coming months, the Invictus flag will travel around the world, with the MOD announcing plans to send it to the Far East aboard Royal Navy vessels participating in Carrier Strike Force 2025.
As the 2025 Invictus Games concluded, organisers shared some light-hearted statistics from the event, revealing that competitors consumed 20,000 bananas and an impressive 880kg of Canadian beef jerky over the course of the Games.
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