Great Britain will be represented by a 130-strong squad at the Games in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and they will provide men and women injured during active service with a fantastic outlet to channel their emotions and focus on positive aspects of their lives. 

That is the view of Derek Derenalagi, who will be competing next month.

Derenalagi lost both of his legs in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was in drove over a hidden bomb and exploded.

"Whether you have been injured at home or injured in Afghanistan or Iraq it doesn't matter," said Derenalagi.

"When things happen you don't just say, 'Well that's it, I'm done I can't carry on anymore'.

"There are so many things to do in life than to sit back and complain.

"The Invictus Games are going to be very, very special.

"They will inspire so many people in the country and I am really, really looking forward to that."



The Invictus Games aim to provide sick, injured and wounded service personnel the opportunity to compete in high-level competitive sport to help inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.

Competitors are set to take part in nine adaptive sports - athletics, archery, wheelchair basketball, road cycling, powerlifting, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, swimming and sitting volleyball.

There will also be a unique driving challenge organised by Games presenting partner, Jaguar Land Rover.

According to Mickaela Richards, sport is one of the best tools in helping injured servicemen and women overcome injuries and helps them come to terms with the changes in their lives.

Sport helps injured service personnel come to terms with dramatic changes in their lives according to one member of the British team ©Getty Images



"Sport has really helped me," said Richards, who serves in the Royal Navy and was injured in a car crash while attending a training course in 2011.

"After my injury I knew I couldn't do everything I had done before and my whole life was turned upside down.

"Sport gave me a focus.

"I am hoping that it [Invictus Games] just carries on and helps other injured people that are just coming into the recovery pathway and gives them light at the end of the tunnel."

The British team will be one of 14 nations and more than 400 competitors taking part in the Games, which have been championed by Prince Harry and supported by the Ministry of Defence, The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Help for Heroes charity.

Prince Harry has spoken of the "real struggle" in helping to get the Games off the ground since they were first mooted last year.

However, the Games and the build-up to the event have received widespread backing and are expected to attract a crowd of 5,000 for the Opening Ceremony on September 10, with the Royal Air Force to perform a fly-past during the Ceremony, which will be on the South Lawn of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

There will also be a series of ceremonial displays and a performance of the official Invictus Games anthem, penned by Chris Martin from Coldplay.

Prince Harry has been the main driving force behind the Invictus Games which get underway next month ©Getty Images



The Closing Concert on September 14 is set to feature performances from the likes of Foo Fighters, Kaiser Chiefs and James Blunt.

"When I heard about the Invictus Games it was really exciting for a number of reasons," said British team member JJ Chalmers, injured in a bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan.

"Personally, I knew I wanted to be a part of it and I was going to do everything I possibly could to [be there].

"Whether it keeps going for years to come or whether it was just something I was part of when it existed, it is just going to be incredible to have been there when it all began."

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

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