The CEO of the Invictus Games has revealed what motivated Prince Harry's sporting competition to commit to returning to the UK.
The Duke of Sussex is gearing up for the first-ever winter edition of the games in Vancouver, with the opening ceremony taking place on Saturday.
Dominic Reid, the CEO, of the organisation has revealed why they chose Birmingham, UK as the destination for the next Invictus Games in 2027.
The original Invictus Games was launched in London in 2014 and founded when Prince Harry was still a working member of the Royal Family.
The CEO of the Invictus Games has revealed what motivated Prince Harry's sporting competition to commit to returning to the UK.
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Reid said: "It is significant for it to come back to the U.K.
"Our wounded, injured and sick were all repatriated to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
"It will have real power. We do have an extraordinary, strong pipeline.”
Twenty-three nations will participate in this year's event, with Lithuania and Brazil joining as new competitors.
The Duke of Sussex is gearing up for the first-ever winter edition of the games in Vancouver, with the opening ceremony taking place on Saturday.
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The expansion marks a significant milestone for the Games, which were founded by Prince Harry after his experience with wounded veterans in Afghanistan and inspiration from the U.S. Warrior Games.
Outgoing Invictus Games CEO Dominic Reid has highlighted Prince Harry's deep commitment to the foundation and its mission to support wounded veterans.
"It is very important to him as a soldier, it's very important to him as a person," Reid told People.
The inclusion of winter sports represents a personal triumph for Reid, who has championed this expansion for a decade.
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Outgoing Invictus Games CEO Dominic Reid has highlighted Prince Harry's deep commitment to the foundation and its mission to support wounded veterans.
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"I've been trying to get this to happen for ten years," he said. "For me, it is fantastic.
"I know there is a fantastic amount that winter sports have to offer - not only in the environment that people find themselves in but also the whole approach to calculated risk-taking that is such an important part of people's recovery."
Reid reflected on his decade-long tenure, noting that his enduring memories "are all emotional."
"They are all about seeing people's lives change in front of you, which is an honour and a privilege," he said.
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