Australia will host the 2018 Invictus Games for wounded military personnel, Britain’s Prince Harry announced on November 12. More than 500 serving and former personnel from 17 nations will compete in the multi-sports competition in Sydney. Australia was chosen because it was an iconic city with a proud military heritage and sports-mad fans.

• Athletes, who have been wounded, injured or become ill in service, will compete in both individual and team sports including swimming, archery, cycling, track and field, and wheelchair rugby.
• Australian Minister for Defense Marise Payne said hosting the games was an honour and a tribute to the unconquerable character of servicemen and women.
• The games have been held in London and Orlando, and are due to be held in Toronto next year.

Do you know?

• The Invictus Games are an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event, created by Britain’s Prince Harry, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.
• Named after Invictus, Latin for “unconquered” or “undefeated” the event was inspired by the Warrior Games, a similar event held in the United States.
• The first Invictus Games took place in 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, United Kingdom.
• The 2014 opening ceremony was attended by Prince Harry, Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, and Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark.
• The event also included a recorded message from First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama.