Injured Veterans Compete in Kyiv

Ukraine's national team for the Invictus Games has almost been selected. This international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured active duty and veteran service members will take place in Toronto this autumn.

114 finalists took part in the Ukrainian Invictus Games to select this year's team. They competed in six sports – track and field, indoor rowing, road cycling, powerlifting, swimming and archery.

The competition was held in three locations in Kyiv: the Trukhaniv Island, the Armed Forces CSK Pool and the Athlete Sport Complex.
The Invictus Games 2017 will be held in Toronto from the 23rd to the 30th September.

The team of Ukrainian military personnel will compete against teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, USA, Jordan, Iraq, Romania and the UK.

The international sports competition was founded by Prince Harry of Wales.

Invictus is Latin for ‘unconquered’ and symbolizes the bravery of men and women who have suffered serious injuries, but found the strength for new challenges.

Almost 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers received injuries of varying severity during the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The rehabilitation of the military personnel who participated in the war in Donbas is still one of the most pressing issues today.

The Invictus Games help to overcome the existing stereotypes in society towards the military personnel with disabilities.

/Photos by Jovan
/Translated by Olga Kuchmagra