JMarkSnow2012 Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 I can't see a topic for this upcoming (mid-September) international parasport event around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, based on the Warrior Games, so, yes, the Invictus Games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 I was wondering if these games would get a mention here. NZ has got a handful of participants going...Amazing and great to see wounded soliders getting the respect they deserve and giving their all with the disabilities they have... However...Wasn't the Paralympics created after WWII for disabled returning service men and women? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted August 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 Wasn't the Paralympics created after WWII for disabled returning service men and women? Yes, but after the first couple of international versions, they decided to open up beyond military contestants. The Warrior Games, of which this tournament is an offshoot, have been running for several years in the US, largely as a way of encouraging disabled ex-service personnel to participate in Paralympic-style activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Invictus Games opening ceremony this evening- directed by Kim Gavin of 2012 Olympic Closing notoriety; introduced on BBC1 (from 7pm UK time) by Clare Balding and the One Show team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Invictus Games? Hmmmmm. The US has the Valor Games for wounded US servicepersons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Invictus Games? Hmmmmm. The US has the Valor Games for wounded US servicepersons. Yes. As noted above, the Invictus Games are based on Prince Harry's enthusiasm for another US-founded tournament, the Warrior Games. So far, a very formal ceremony. The national flags in the parade are very large, and each being carried flat by six able-bodied bearers. Pretty large contingent from the USA (98 athletes according to Clare Balding). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony E Loves Architecture Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Great Britain has the most Athletes, as Host Nation. Come on Team Great Britain!!!!!!!!!! Respect to the British Army!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Basics of the Ceremony (held on the grassy area south of the Orbit). The Games "Look" seen all round the ceremony venue is a rather striking yellow-and-black. Start: Idris Elba recites the poem "Invictus"Film on the stories of various competitors (not all limb injuries; for example there was a guy pointing to one side of his cranium and saying "the bullet went in here", then to the other side "and out here")UK armed forces parade (in ceremonial uniforms)Parade of athletes, with very large national flags each carried by six people.Fly-past by two helicopters (one Air Force Apache and one Army Merlin) as UK team enters last.(UK team's mascot is a retired wounded IED Detection dog)Military bands parade.Military cadets come running onto the field with the national flags, which they reverse to show the Games colour yellow, and lay down to form the Games motto "I AM". Break for interviews, but more to come shortly, we are informed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 The rest of it: Cut back to arena from interviews, showing the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, performing equestrian manoeuvres and a Royal Salute, then deploying six antique field-guns, which fire a very noisy salvo. More manoeuvres and exit.Live interviews with competitors in the arena, relayed over the PA to spectators. Includes thanks from athletes to Prince Harry for creating the Games.Video message from Michelle Obama, a fan of the Warrior Games, who hands over to-Prince Harry, live in the arena, who welcomes the competitors and their families.Invictus Anthem, by Chris Martin, played by a military orchestra with choir, and with verses of "Invictus" sung by soloists as lyrics.Lots and lots of yellow confetti stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Excellent summary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 Basics of the Ceremony (held on the grassy area south of the Orbit). The Games "Look" seen all round the ceremony venue is a rather striking yellow-and-black. Start: Idris Elba recites the poem "Invictus" Film on the stories of various competitors (not all limb injuries; for example there was a guy pointing to one side of his cranium and saying "the bullet went in here", then to the other side "and out here") UK armed forces parade (in ceremonial uniforms) Parade of athletes, with very large national flags each carried by six people. Fly-past by two helicopters (one Air Force Apache and one Army Merlin) as UK team enters last. (UK team's mascot is a retired wounded IED Detection dog) Military bands parade. Military cadets come running onto the field with the national flags, which they reverse to show the Games colour yellow, and lay down to form the Games motto "I AM". Break for interviews, but more to come shortly, we are informed. WHAT?? No aquacades or volunteers in frilly, lamee costumes screaming and running around??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 WHAT?? No aquacades or volunteers in frilly, lamee costumes screaming and running around??? Maybe saving them for the Closing Ceremony? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotguy Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 Who directed the Opening/Closing Ceremonies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 Who directed the Opening/Closing Ceremonies? Kim Gavin did the Opening. The Closing is actually a Closing Concert, headlined by Foo Fighters, produced by AEG Live. Apparently it's five hours long, and includes the medal ceremonies (which may well take a while, given the large number of paralympic-style categories). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Well, that was an odd weekend in the UK. On Saturday evening we had a duelling violins version of La Cucaracha at the Last Night of the Proms, then on Sunday we had Prince Henry of Wales yelling "FOOOOOO FIGHTERRRRS" to introduce the last half-hour of the Invictus Games Closing Concert. And there's about a 50% chance that next weekend will be even more surreal ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotguy Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Where will the next Games be held? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkSnow2012 Posted September 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Where will the next Games be held? Harry suggests maybe Glasgow: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29198550 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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