Vancouver and Whistler to Host
The recent snow will be welcome news for the competitors coming to this year's Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, beginning February 7.
Founded in 2014 in London by a team headed by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the Invictus Games were created to assist injured war veterans with recovery. At the launch of the first event in London, Prince Harry said the Invictus Games would show how participation in sport can "inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and demonstrate life beyond disability" for soldiers who had returned from war.
The 2025 event is billed as an international, adaptive sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and Veterans. It is the seventh event since the Games inception, and the second time they have been held in Canada. (Toronto played host to the Games in 2017). Sporting events in Whistler will be held February 10-12.
The Games will host 532 competitors from 23 nations, competing in adaptive sports in both locations, which for the first time will include winter sports in addition to the core indoor events. Whistler will host alpine skiing and snowboarding on Whistler Mountain, Nordic biathlon and skiing at Whistler Olympic Park and skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre.
According to Whistler Tourism, while Vancouver events will be ticketed, Whistler Village will be open to everyone. "All Whistler entertainment and sporting events are free, family-friendly, and do not require tickets." Organizers note that some alpine events will require a sightseeing or lift pass for access.
Four First Nations will join the Invictus team in hosting the 2025 games, and artwork for the Games represents local artists of each Nation: Levi Nelson (Lil’wat Nation), Mack Paul (Musqueam Nation), Ray Natraoro (Squamish Nation), and Olivia George (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). The three medals were designed by contemporary Indigenous artist Levi Nelson.
Travel up and down the Sea to Sky Highway will be open as usual, bearing in mind the recent snowfall. As always, event organizers encourage transit use,
The Games will end with star-studded closing ceremonies being held in Vancouver on February 16.
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