The 2025 Invictus Games for injured military and service personnel have started in Vancouver with an inauguration ceremony full of stars with the artists Katy Perry, Roxane Bruneau, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado and Chris Martin de Coldplay.
The event producer Patrick Roberge says that it is the most “head -headed stars” that the sporting event has seen, and adds that there are around 800 people who will act for a multitude of around 40,000 in BC Place.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founded the games in 2014 for the personnel of services and veteran injured, injured or sick.
Up to 550 athletes from 23 nations participate in 11 adaptive sports in Whistler and Vancouver, with several of the events that will take place in the same places organized by the 2010 Olympic Games.
This year is the first time that games will have winter sports, including skeleton, skiing events and wheelchair curly, along with the inner ram, sitting volleyball, swimming, rugby wheelchair and wheelchair and The wheelchair basketball events had done before.
Roberge says that the organizers are excited to organize the first hybrid games, and added that four nations are coanffations, which represent the “shared healing trip of indigenous peoples in Canada.”
“The general issue of ceremonies will be ‘rowing together’. It is also symbolic that our community joins and organizes these games,” Roberge told a media conference on Thursday. “Is [an] Incredible response that we have been receiving, not only from artists, but from the local community. “
He pointed out that Chris Martin, who wrote the anthem of the Invictus Games for the first games in 2014, was ready to perform the song live for the first time at the opening ceremony on Saturday.
“We are excited about that,” Roberge said. “That will be a great moment in the program.”
He pointed out that there is a buzz of all involved.
“There is definitely an energy. Sorry and our artists are feeling it,” he said. “I really want to see that shared experience in BC Place, and let people see that these games are unique, and together with the artists and the audience and all our volunteers, it will be a great experience.”
The assistant Gabrille Hack was one of those who appeared to the BC place before the opening ceremony. She says her mother was volunteer at the event and received her tickets.
“She could give us more information about what the event was and it’s very great,” he said.
The 24 -year -old Vancouver resident says that the atmosphere outside the stadium felt “busy” and “hitting.”
“Seeing people in their military outfits and everything. I think it’s such an atmosphere,” Hack said, adding that seeing live musicians was another great attraction.
That feeling was shared by his ceremony partner Gina Behnke. Germany’s native says that Kahan was the “main reason” he wanted to attend.
“Noah Kahan is my favorite artist and tickets for her concerts are really expensive, so this was an opportunity to see it, even if it’s only for a song,” said Behnke.
This year marks the seventh games, and the second time they have been held in Canada. Toronto previously acted as host in 2017.
Roberge also produced the opening and closing ceremonies in Ontario.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are expected to attend throughout the event. Prince Harry took the stage on Saturday during the opening ceremony to go to the crowd.
Last year, the couple attended the BC training camp, where the prince tried Sit-Skiing and Skeleton in Whistler before heading to Vancouver to test the curly wheelchair with Canadian singer Michael Bublé.
The games last until February 16, and will conclude with a closing ceremony at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver that will feature artists, such as Country Jelly Roll singer and the Canadian rock band Barenaken Ladies.
