Fight For Places At 2018 Sydney Invictus Games Begins

Cyclists have been competing on the first day of selection trials for the Invictus Games 2018

More than 451 athletes have applied for a place as the Games' popularity continues to grow - this year there was a 47% increase in applications.

Athletes have a one in seven chance of getting into the team and making the journey Down Under this October.

The sun was shining down on Bath on Thursday as the first of four days of trials got underway.

Cyclists kicked off proceedings at the Odd Down Circuit in Bath.

Competing on bicycles, tandems, recumbents and handbikes, 90 athletes put in their best efforts around the track.

One of those 90 who was trying out for the Games for the first time was Corporal Denise Kidger, who was delighted to be there.

She said: "I feel like a kid in a sweetshop just because I've been trying for three years to get out of my house so I just thought, right. I'm going to do it."

Many of the athletes are trying out for multiple sports.

Paul Guest, a Royal Navy veteran of 18 years, won a bronze medal in Toronto in wheelchair basketball and this year is trying out in handcycling, archery, shot put, discus, the 1500 and 1800 metres, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, powerlifting, and sailing. He said:

"The Invictus [Games] in point of fact, I've said it before, have actually saved my life."

I tried to take my own life four times. When I came out I couldn't adapt to the civvy street.

"Civvies didn't get me and I didn't get them. And psychologically I wasn't really for civvy street. By being picked up by Invictus you get the camaraderie."

On Friday Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are due to visit the athletes at the University of Bath Sports Training Village.

They will watch competitors as they try out on the athletics track and field before chatting to those taking part in the indoor sitting volleyball trials.

Athletes will find out in May if they made it onto the team.

The Invictus Games being held in Sydney, Australia later this year. 

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