Prince Harry's Invictus Games kick off in Vancouver – this time including winter sports
The Invictus Games have kicked off in Vancouver with a sold-out opening ceremony at Canada's largest stadium, BC Place.
With headline performances from Coldplay's Chris Martin and Katy Perry, the ceremony marked the start of the seventh and largest Invictus Games.
Prince Harry fired the starting pistol at a lavish opening ceremony and was pictured in the crowd with his wife Meghan.
BFBS Forces News is providing full coverage of the games across TV, radio, and online for the next nine days.
Speaking on the eve of the competition, Invictus Games 2025 CEO Scott Moore highlighted Vancouver's healing nature, citing its stunning location between the North Shore Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
"While the Olympic Games change lives, the Invictus Games save lives," Moore told reporters.
The 2025 games are the first to include winter sports and will be co-hosted by venues in Vancouver and Whistler, 2,000ft above sea level.
Thrilling sports like Skeleton will feature competitors from 25 nations, including first-time participants Brazil and Lithuania.
Team Ukraine are set to receive a warm welcome, just as they did at the 2023 Games in Düsseldorf.
A team from Afghanistan, made up of resettled Afghans who served during the war, will also compete.
The games' patrons, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be joined throughout the event by dignitaries from around the world, including Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark and UK Veterans Minister Al Carns.
Competitors from around the world arrived to a lively carnival-style welcome at Vancouver Airport.
Team UK arrived via private charter from Birmingham, departing with well wishes from friends and family.
The British team comprises serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans, led by team captain Stephen Hooper, an RAF veteran from Plymouth.
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