Championed by Prince Harry, the Invictus Games will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.

Based around the United States' Warrior Games, this new sporting event will bring more than 300 competitors, from 13 nations across the world, to the heart of England.

They will compete in eight adaptive sports - athletics, archery, wheelchair basketball, road cycling, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, swimming and sitting volleyball - as well as a driving challenge organised by Presenting Partner, Jaguar Land Rover.

The Invictus Games were inspired by Prince Harry following his visit to the Warrior Games in the United States ©InvictusLondon



"I have witnessed first-hand how the power of sport can positively impact the lives of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women in their journey to recovery," said Prince Harry.

"The Invictus Games will focus on what they can achieve post-injury and celebrate their fighting spirit, through an inclusive sporting competition that recognises the sacrifice they have made.

"I am extremely proud that we are bringing an event like this to the UK for the first time and believe it can have a long lasting impact on the well-being of those who have served their nations so bravely."

Scheduled to be held from September 10 to 14, the Invictus Games will be spread across a number of the landmark venues from the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the Aquatics Centre, Copper Box - where Prince Harry was today playing a game of sitting volleyball - VeloPark and Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

Sir Keith Mills, former deputy chairman of London 2012, has been appointed chairman of the Organising Committee set to oversee the event.

"Prince Harry, The Royal Foundation, the Ministry of Defence, the Mayor of London, the venues, Jaguar Land Rover, and the BBC have all worked tirelessly to get us to the start line and I am thrilled that we are now able to announce the details of the Games today," he said.

"The Invictus Games is going to be one of the major highlights of 2014 and a real inspiration to many around the world."

The name of the Games was inspired by the William Ernest Henley poem, Invictus, which, in Latin, means unconquered.

This was an important concept in the making of the Games as the organisers, alongside Prince Harry, hoped to embody the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and what these man and women can achieve, post-injury.

Captain David Henson (left) is one of the servicemen hoping to compete in September's Invictus Games ©InvictusLondon



At the heart of the Games, therefore, will be these servicemen and women that have dedicated their lives to their nations.

One such man is Captain David Henson of the Royal Engineers, who is hoping to compete in the inaugural Games in September.

"Competitive sport has made all the difference to my personal recovery and rehabilitation," he said.

"For a whole international community of injured 'brothers in arms' who flat out refuse to let themselves be beaten by their injuries, the Invictus Games in London will offer a memorable, inspiring and energising experience in their journey of recovery.

"This is not just the story of our wounded, but of all of our servicemen and women.

"We will each prove, as William Ernest Henley's famous poem so aptly says: I am the master of my fate.

"I am the captain of my soul."

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