With Harry and his wife Megan in the front row for the opening ceremony, the contestants cheered for almost a minute as the Ukrainian team waved their country’s blue and yellow flag after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte welcomed them to the event, which was two years late. from the coronavirus pandemic.
Harry founded the Invictus Games to help heal injured or sick military members and veterans by challenging them to compete in Paralympic-like sporting events.
Welcoming all the contestants, Harry singled out the Ukrainian team and its supporters.
“The courage you choose to come and be here tonight cannot be overstated,” he said, a day after meeting with Ukrainians at a reception.
“You know, we stand with you. The world is united with you. And yet you deserve more. And I hope that these events, this event, create the opportunity … for how we as a global community can do better for you.” , Harry added.
Megan took the stage before Harry and introduced him, saying, “I could not love and respect him more. And I know you all feel the same way, because he is your fellow veteran, having toured Afghanistan and 10 years of military service “.
He called Harry “the founder of Invictus Games and the father of our two little ones, Archie and Lily.”
Earlier in the day, the Dutch prime minister said that portraits of Invictus athletes placed around The Hague, the city hosting this year’s competition, underscore the “resilience of the weak against adversity, vulnerability and strength” of the contestants.
“These are your stories, your life jackets and the events that are unfolding now in Ukraine that make them even more resonant. I would like to extend a special welcome to the Ukrainian team,” he said as applause and cheers erupted.
The Ukrainians – many of whom are taking a short break from defending their country against the Russian invasion that sparked a devastating war – are among 500 athletes from 20 nations competing in the race, which runs through April 22.
Earlier Saturday, racing began with a driving challenge around an obstacle course. Harry came close to the action when he was led along the way. Later, he and Megan nodded to the spectators as they drove around in tiny Land Rover cars with children at the wheel.
From Sunday, the competitors will take part in track and field, archery, cycling, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
On Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, also known as Harry and Megan, attended a welcoming event for competitors and their friends and family. It was the couple’s first public appearance in Europe since leaving their official royal roles and moving to the US more than two years ago, citing unbearable pressure from their roles and the racist behavior of the British media.
On Thursday, the couple visited Harry’s grandmother, 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle. The queen has been struggling with mobility problems lately.