INVICTUS GAMES 2023 IN DUSSELDORF

On April 28-30, the national qualifying competitions for the Ukrainian national team for the Invictus Games were held in Lviv. The war affected the organization of the selection – for security reasons, we were forced to hold the competition in one round, without testing in the regions. We also introduced information silence so as not to cause harm. We are grateful to everyone who accepted these conditions and contributed to creating an atmosphere of mutual support and respect.

These competitions have become the most friendly and large-scale: 2 competition days, 4 locations, 9 sports and 202 participants, including 9 women. This year, 110 participants took part in the Invictus Games for the first time. We are happy to develop the Invictus community and involve everyone who shares the values ​​of the Games, because the most important achievement of the participants in the competition is not medals, but a unique friendly community that transmits the values ​​of the Invictus Games in civilian life: courage, respect, mutual support.

The organizers received 262 applications for participation in the competitions, despite the war, the community of the Invictus is actively involved in the competitions. 248 participants were registered, including 9 women. 2 applicants were denied registration due to non-compliance with the criteria for participation in the Invictus Games, and another 12 participants withdrew their applications themselves.

Among those who competed, there were 79 veterans and 123 active military personnel. They represented the following departments and power blocs: the Armed Forces of Ukraine – 84 participants, the National Guard of Ukraine – 13, the National Police of Ukraine – 9, the State Border Service of Ukraine – 14, the Security Service of Ukraine – 2, volunteer formations – 1.

The participants represented 23 regions, the largest teams were from Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions.

This year, for the first time, participants competed in table tennis. In total, competitions were held in 9 sports: in addition to table tennis, there were also athletics (running, long jump and shot put), powerlifting, rowing on simulators, archery, cycling, swimming, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. You can find the competition protocols here.

Traditionally, despite the fact that winners were selected in each category, all participants of the competition received medals in the qualifying competitions. Thus, the organizers wanted to note that absolutely everyone who joined the Unconquered family is already a winner.

The selection of the Ukrainian national team in 2023 is carried out by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine together with the “Return Alive” Foundation, the “StratCom Ukraine” Center for Strategic Communications and the “Invictus Games Ukraine” NGO with the support of the intergovernmental working group. The organization of sports competitions in Lviv was carried out by the Lviv City Council and the Lviv Regional State Administration with the support of wonderful partners.

Thank you to all participants, loved ones, and event partners for an incredibly friendly celebration of sports and the will to live!