Team Canada left Ottawa today for the 2023 Invictus Games, which will take place September 9-16, 2023, in Düsseldorf, Germany. The athletes have trained hard to ready themselves for these games as they embark on this major milestone in their road to recovery.

“Right across our country, Canadians are inspired by the resilience and dedication of the injured and ill Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans who will represent our country at the Invictus Games. The games offer our injured and ill heroes a special opportunity to demonstrate their tenacity and achievement, and we will all be cheering them on. We could not be prouder of Team Canada, and we wish our athletes the best of luck in Düsseldorf.”

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

“Next week at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf our Veterans and service members will represent Canada as an important and exciting part of their recovery through sport. I look forward to cheering on Team Canada as they strive for excellence at the Invictus Games and I wish each and every one of the competitors the best of luck as they bring it home for Canada. All of Canada will be cheering for you and we could not be more proud of our Team!”

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“The Invictus Games are a meaningful reminder of the courage and determination of our members and Veterans who have been injured, either physically or mentally, while in service to their country. I am truly proud of these athletes who challenged themselves once again, this time through sport. I know they will represent our country with great resilience, skill and integrity.”

General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff 

• The more than 500 competitors at this year’s Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 will represent 22 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Republic of South Korea, Romania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

• Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, created the Invictus Games, which began in 2014, and which are held internationally encompassing the participation of over 20 nations. The goal of the Invictus Games is to improve the lives of as many ill and injured service members and veterans as possible. “Invictus” means “Unconquered.” The term embodies the fighting spirit of the competitors, as well as their motivation to move on with their lives, to gain a new place in life, and to not let themselves be defined by the trauma they have suffered.

• The Invictus Games have been held in London (2014), Orlando (2016), Toronto (2017), Sydney (2018) and The Hague (2022).

• The participation of Team Canada in the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 is led by the Canadian Armed Forces’ Soldier On program in collaboration with True Patriot Love Foundation.

• Using the transformative power of sport, recreation and creative activities, Soldier On has supported more than 12,000 members since its inception in 2007, and remains committed to supporting Veterans and serving Canadian Armed Forces members with a condition which can be a permanent or chronic mental health or physical illness or injury as they adapt to their new normal and overcome their challenges.

Associated links

• Soldier On
• Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023
• Soldier On Facebook
• Soldier On X
• Soldier On Instagram

Captain Yanick Hamel
Team Canada Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 613-894-4218
Email: Yanick.Hamel@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca