On Tuesday, Sydney Olympic Park came alive with swimming, wheelchair tennis, powerlifting and sitting volleyball action.
Bogdan Oksentiuk – Ukrainian swimmer
“Ukraine also has a rule that a soldier who has participated once in an Invictus Games cannot participate again. It sounds bad but that allows more soldiers to come through and get involved in the sports as part of their recovery.”
Michael Gantich – 99-year-old US veteran
“I’m just proud to be here. I’m dedicated to helping veterans – so anything that can help like the Invictus Games is good. I heard so much about Sydney over the years and to see the city in person is such a great thing.”
Alexia Vlahos – Australian bronze medal powerlifter
“Sport is my saviour, it has brought me inspiration and the power to heal.”
Dave Innes – Canadian silver medal indoor rower
“Being part of these Games has been a life-changing, epic moment in my life.”
Sarah Robinson – UK swimmer
“I was so worried I would come last and be letting people down. I get so scared in the water and you don’t know how huge this is for me. It is iconic. To get to the end and not panic I deem myself proud. I am smiling and even though I am crying I am so happy.”
Casey Wall – Canadian wheelchair rugby player (Unconquered team)
“Initially when they told us that (Canada) weren’t going to have a team in, it kind of hit all of us; but they told us we were going to come together with Poland and become ‘Unconquered’ and it was even better.
“The name itself says it all – unconquered – and that is what Invictus is all about. It’s getting together. It doesn’t matter what your nationality is, or where you are from but whatever it is, it is about getting us all back on the same playing field.”
Davin Bretherton – Australian silver medal sailor
“The silver medal is great, but the ability to be able to compete with my brothers and sisters in arms. War doesn’t discriminate. It injures the good and the bad and you know, the ability to pull together after these events and rely upon each other on the battlefield and then once again to rely upon each other for rehabilitation, this is just something special.”
“Adaptive sport has given me a new lease on life. It’s given me a reason to carry on. It shows to my family, support peers and all of that, they never lost faith in me and this is a way for me to show them gratitude that I could never repay.”
Johan Lerhmann – Danish swimmer
“I just thought nobody could help me, nobody is feeling the same. But to connect with other veterans who are the same took a lot of pressure off my shoulders.”
Besarion Gudushauri – Georgian sitting volleyball captain
“This is probably the last Invictus Games for me because His Royal Highness wants to see new faces, so it will be done. I appreciate being here and I want to share with another guy who needs the same feelings. I think it will really encourage them to continue an active life.”