Page 33 - QARANC Vol 14 No 10 2015

THE GAZETTE QARANC 31
Invictus Games and
Pride of Britain Awards 2014
In September 2014, London played host to over 400 wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel, and Veterans, from 13 nations. The Invictus Games were organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. Competitors took part in nine sports: Athletics; Archery; Wheelchair Basketball; Road Cycling; Power lifting; Indoor Rowing; Wheelchair Rugby; Swimming; and Sitting Volleyball. After 67 days of training and 497 coaching hours Help for Heroes were able to select their 130-strong team.
I was selected as the Field Captain for the discus and shot put, which made me very proud, as I was the only female captain from the nine different sports. I was also selected for the swimming team. We had a BAF media launch beside the Bridge of London and then a private party hosted at the US Ambassador’s residence. All athletes and family were invited to attend and we had a private concert from the Foo Fighters in the grounds. The Opening Ceremony 2 days later was exciting and emotional. We had a fantastic welcome from the British public and all the other countries. There were many members of the Royal family there including Prince Harry, Prince Charles, Camilla, and Prince William. Prince Harry gave an emotional speech and Michele Obama did a satellite speech from America. We then
dispersed and got ready for the first day of competition. It was a very cold start at 06.30 in Lee Valley athletic stadium but the athletes rallied round and the BAF won 39 medals in the Track and the Field events. I threw a personal best in the discus and won bronze, and then won bronze again in the shot put. Over the moon was an understatement!! I was totally inspired by being part of history in the making and to compete with other military and veterans from all these different countries was a humbling and proud experience. The medal score kept accumulating throughout the week and we watched thrilling competitions in the Wheelchair Rugby at which Jonny Wilkinson joined us, Wheelchair Basketball and
Sitting Volleyball all of which we won gold!
The last day was the swimming event. The heats started at 0730 and I ended up being in 4 finals. Swimming in the Olympic pool was a dream come true, especially knowing that some of the worlds’ greatest swimmers had swum in those lanes before us. The Olympic Park swimming pool atmosphere and noise was incredible. The whole competition was being televised live on BBC1, which also added to the mix. My first race was the 50m Freestyle and to say I was nervous as hell would be an understatement! I was helped onto the starting block and the starting gun fired. It was at that moment I forgot the crowd and focused with all my heart and soul on getting to the other end as fast as I