The party took place at Winfeld House in Regents Park, the official residence of the US Ambassador to Britain.

Prince Harry welcomed the more than 400 competitors from 13 nations set to take part in the Games at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park before President Obama paid tribute to the teams

"Your incomparable souls inspire us today," said Obama.

"I know it's going to be a fiercely competitive few days, but the truth is that every one of you in these games, every service member and veteran, has already earned our highest admiration and our deepest gratitude."

Meanwhile, the official Invictus Games logo was projected onto Buckingham Palace in celebration of the launch of the event which is due to continue until Sunday (September 14).

Earlier in the day, the first medals of the Games were handed out by Prince Harry as Australia triumphed in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge.

Jaguar Land Rover are the official partner of the Games and the unique challenge took place at the firm's Design and Engineering Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Eleven nations took part in the two-stage challenge which was designed to test driving and navigation skills.

Teams, made up of a driver and navigator, completed an all-terrain stage in a Land Rover Discovery and a tarmac track stage in a Jaguar F-TYPE, with a series of gates required to be correctly negotiated in order.

Australia, Germany, The Netherlands and Britain all qualified for the final and it was the Australian duo of Matthew Taxis and Sarah Archibald who eventually claimed the gold.

The first gold medals of the Invictus Games were won by Australians Sarah Archibald and Matthew Taxis ©Invictus Games



"It's fantastic to receive the first gold medals of the Invictus Games," said driver Taxis, a former combat engineer who injured his back while lifting equipment in the army.

"I hope I'm also in with a shout in the archery, but it's just great to be here and be part of an incredible event with people from all over the world."

Prince Harry also took part in the challenge and navigated a wounded serviceman driver from the US around the all-terrain course before driving a Jaguar F-TYPE.

Global brand experience director of Jaguar Land Rover, Mark Cameron, said: "Everyone at Jaguar Land Rover would like to congratulate Australia on being awarded the first gold medals of the Invictus Games, and to all the medallists and competitors who took part.

"We were honoured to host this event as part of the Invictus Games and welcome His Royal Highness to Gaydon.

"We are now looking forward to the Opening Ceremony tomorrow and an inspiring four days of competition in London."

Prince Harry took part in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge in Gaydon ©Invictus Games



Along with hosts Britain, teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand and the United States will be taking part when the sporting action gets underway on Thursday (September 11).

Britain and the US will each have more than 100 competitors battling for medals.

They will be competing in athletics, archery, wheelchair basketball, road cycling, powerlifting, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, swimming and sitting volleyball.

Tickets for the Invictus Games cost £12.85 ($22/€16) and can be purchased here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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