The Invictus Games are coming to Vancouver and Whistler.
On Friday morning, the official announcement was made that Vancouver and Whistler, in partnership with True Patriot Love Foundation, has won the bid for the Games. The event will take place in February 2025.
These Games will be the first to incorporate winter adaptive sports, in addition to some of the core sports from previous Invictus Games. True Patriot Love is partnering with the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and First Nations in Vancouver and Whistler to ensure the Invictus Games 2025 will be the most innovative and accessible Games to date.
“As Invictus continues to adapt and evolve, I am extremely excited to announce that the Invictus Games Foundation has selected Canada to host the first-ever Winter Hybrid Games in 2025,” said Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, in a news release.
“The Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler 2025 will offer a global platform to expand the range and profile of winter adaptive sports. With deep respect, I’m also pleased to share that the Games in Canada will be held in partnership with the First Nations, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities,” he said.
The Invictus Games 2025 will bring together more than 500 competitors from 20 nations to compete in adaptive sports, including the new winter sports: alpine skiing, nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, in addition to the core Invictus Games sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.
The new release notes staff will be working closely to ensure they respond to Canada’s Truth Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and ensure Indigenous protocols are respected in all aspects of the Games.
True Patriot Love is Canada’s foundation for the military community, working to support military members, veterans and their families at every stage of their journey.
“True Patriot Love Foundation is thrilled Canada has been chosen to host the Invictus Games 2025,” said CEO Nick Booth in a statement. “We are excited to bring this new, innovative concept of a hybrid winter games to Vancouver and Whistler, increasing access to the Invictus Games through the introduction of new snow and ice sports.”
Delta MP, Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, was in The Hague (site of the 2022 Games) for the 2025 bid announcement.
“Congratulations to Team Canada on a great performance at the 2022 Invictus Games,” said Qualtrough. “These Games let the entire world see the grit and determination of our veterans and members of the Armed Forces, and they remind us that our injuries and disabilities do not define us.”
Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton said he is excited the Games are returning to Canada and Whistler.
“Whistler shares a commitment to inclusion and diversity, and our winter sport hosting roots run deep, so the inclusion of winter sports in the Invictus Games for the first time is an excellent fit,” said Crompton. “Whistler is honoured to be co-host along with Vancouver and in close partnership with regional First Nations and we look very forward to welcoming this powerful event.”
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said he was equally thrilled to welcome the world.
“The first-ever winter edition of the Invictus Games could not have taken place anywhere else,” said Stewart. “The legacies of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide the Invictus Games Foundation the perfect stage for this monumental event.”
Premier John Horgan said British Columbians will be there to cheer all the athletes on.
“British Columbia is proud to host the 2025 Invictus Game and, for the first time, athletes competing in winter adaptive sports,” said Horgan. “We stand ready to welcome athletes from the global military community to Vancouver and Whistler. Many have made tremendous sacrifices and overcome extraordinary barriers to be competing at the Invictus Games.”
Additional details regarding the event will be released in the coming months. The public is encouraged to visit InvictusGames2025.ca to find out more about how they can support and participate.
