Prince Harry issues fresh statement as Invictus Games CEO steps down
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Dominic Reid helped lead the Invictus Games from its inception
Prince Harry has issued a fresh statement, just as the Invictus Games CEO stepped down.
The Duke of Sussex said goodbye to his longtime Invictus Games CEO, Dominic Reid.
Reid explained he would stand down as it "is the time for someone new to take this vital movement forward into its second vigorous decade".
The Duke of Sussex, 39, paid tribute to Reid for what he had done to help take the Invictus Games from its first iteration in London in 2014 to the world stage.
Harry said in a new statement: "Ten years on from the inception of the Invictus Games, we proudly stand as a community of 23 nations spanning every continent, fulfilling our mission of saving and changing lives.
"I am immensely grateful to my friend Dominic, whose dedication and leadership transformed the Invictus Games from an ambitious idea to an internationally recognised movement."
Harry added praise for Reid’s “decade of relentless service to the Invictus Games Foundation.”
The duke wrote: “What a journey it has been, and how fortunate we are to work with such an incredible community of people.
Dominic Reid [left] and Prince Harry [right] led the Invictus Games from its inception
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"We pray we don't need the Games for another ten years, but thanks to you, the team and our future CEO, we will be ready.”
In his own statement, Reid said: "Our global community continues to demonstrate the impact of Invictus across the world.
"We have established legacy programs with Invictus Australia and Invictus Germany.”
Last month, Germany introduced a Veterans' Day for the first time, partially due to Dusseldorf hosting the contest in 2023.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pictured at the Invictus Games in 2023
GettyReid added that he is "pleased to have set the [Invictus Games] Foundation on a solid footing and to have built an outstanding team which is drawn in part from the community we serve.”
He continued: "It has been a privilege to work closely with Prince Harry to deliver his vision of an international sporting event for those who have served, and for their families and friends.
"His concept, passion, and drive have been instrumental in our success, in particular by focussing attention on mental health in sports rehabilitation.
"It has been an honour to build and work with an incredible, dedicated and high-functioning team whom I count as friends and not just colleagues.
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Dominic Reid [left] pictured in 2014 as he helped launch the Invictus Games
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"And to establish and develop this global movement which now has 23 member nations and a presence on every continent."
The next Invictus Games are taking place in Vancouver and Whistler in Canada in February 2025.
The event will be the first hybrid version of the Games to unite traditional sports and some winter sports.
Reid is leaving as the organisation gears up to name the next venue for the Invictus Games, with Birmingham, and Washington DC in contention.