Prince Harry "has named Sydney as host of the 2018 Invictus Games for injured, wounded and sick armed forces veterans," according to the BBC.
He "confirmed the chosen city in a video message, which ended with the backing of pop star Kylie Minogue." The event began in London in '14 and visited Orlando, Fla., in May ahead of Toronto next year. Harry: "We have raised the bar higher with each successive games. I am happy to say the Invictus Games journey won't end there."
He said the competition had "shown us what can be achieved when wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women rediscover their fighting spirit through sport" (BBC, 11/12). The AAP reported more than 500 athletes from 17 countries "will take part, with events to be held on and around the harbour and at Sydney Olympic Park."
Harry said that bringing the games to the Emerald City "was an easy decision." He said "We had three key criteria. First, it had to be an iconic city -- somewhere known the world over. Second, it needed to be a city with a proud military heritage, which would welcome competitors from all over the world with open arms. And finally, we wanted to go somewhere where they are absolutely sports mad and would really get behind our competitors" (AAP, 11/13).
