35 Ukrainian defenders will compete in the first Invictus Games with a winter format

35 Ukrainian defenders will participate in the first-ever winter edition of the Invictus Games, an international multi-sport event for wounded military service personnel, both serving and veterans.

The tournament will occur from February 8 to 16, 2025, in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada. The Games will feature 550 athletes from 25 countries.

Traditionally, participants of the Invictus Games compete in adaptive sports such as swimming, archery, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball. A distinctive feature of this year's event will be the inclusion of winter sports, such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling. 

“This year's competition will provide further chances to demonstrate to the world the indomitable will of Ukrainian defenders. Their unwavering determination on the battlefield was unmatched, and their drive for victory in sports is inspiring and remarkable. At the last tournament, we brought home 34 medals, a new record for the Ukrainian team. We are proud of every participant and wholeheartedly support our heroes,” stated Deputy Minister of Defence, Brigadier General of Justice Serhii Melnyk.

This year, our national team will include ten more defenders than before, as the Invictus Games Foundation has raised the Ukrainian quota from 25 to 35 participants.

For the past six months, Ukrainian participants have been training in preparation for the Games. The Ukrainian national team set off for Canada on January 31, 2025, for their concluding training camp and to participate in the competition.

For reference, the Invictus Games, a tournament for adaptive sports involving veterans and military personnel, were initiated by Prince Harry in 2014. Since 2017, the Ukrainian team has been a consistent participant in the competition.