Invictus Games 2016 to be held in Orlando, Florida

OHMYGOSSIP — Britain’s Prince Harry has announced the 2016 edition of the Invictus Games – which sees injured military members compete – will be held in Orlando, Florida.

The 30-year-old royal’s international adaptive sporting event for injured military members will run from May 8-12 2016 at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, following on from the first event in 2014 which took place in London.

In a video posted online, Harry said: “Last year we held the first ever Invictus Games here in London. It was an event which focused the recovery of hundreds of wounded service men and women through support, but more significantly it inspired many hundreds more. The amazing British public embraced these games and its competitors as only they can, thanking them and the armed forces for their dedication and sacrifice.

“For every competitor last September, there are hundreds of others around the world who would benefit from having the same opportunity. I am absolutely delighted to announce that the United States has taken up that challenge and will host the next Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, from the 8th to the 12th of May 2016.”

The event uses the power of sport to inspire recovery and support rehabilitation, with more than 400 competitors from up to 14 nations expected to compete across 10 sports at the games including archery, cycling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

The Fisher House Foundation was a sponsor of the 2014 Invictus Games – which was attended by approximately 65,000 spectators and watched by 10 million people on TV – and now the company’s Chairman and CEO will serve as the Chairman and CEO of Invictus Games Orlando 2016.

Prince Harry added: “I have no doubt that Ken Fisher and his team will set the bar even higher than London did and that the USA will put on a great show – no pressure.”