Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are currently participating in the Invictus Games Winter Training Camp in Canada, showcasing their sporty side. The royal couple attended the One Year to Go celebration for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 on Thursday.
Prince Harry fearlessly braved the skeleton track at the Whistler Sliding Center, taking on the skeleton-bobsled with a head-first, stomach-down approach. Spectators showed their support by ringing yellow cowbells, cheering him on. Undeterred, the Duke of Sussex went for a second run, demonstrating his determination and adventurous spirit.
The Invictus Games Winter Training Camp is a week-long event aimed at providing team managers, coaches, and competitors with a chance to engage in winter adaptive sports prior to the official competition scheduled for next year. The upcoming Invictus Games 2025 edition will be the first winter edition, featuring new sports such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling. These additions will accompany the core Invictus sports including indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and more.
In light of this exciting news, Prince Harry expressed his enthusiasm, stating, 'As Invictus continues to adapt and evolve, I am extremely excited to announce that the Invictus Games Foundation has selected Canada to host the first-ever Winter Hybrid Games in 2025.'
During their time in Canada, the royal couple also took the opportunity to meet with athletes using adaptive skis and their guides. Prince Harry tried his hand at sit-skiing, while Meghan captured the moment on a borrowed phone, expressing her desire to share the experience with their children, 4-year-old Prince Archie and 2-year-old Princess Lilibet.
Stefan Nommensen, the Netherlands' 'chef de mission' and a participant in the 2018 Invictus Games, praised the Winter Training Camp for its ability to introduce athletes to winter sports. Given that many participants may not have had previous exposure to these activities, the training camp serves as a valuable learning opportunity. Nommensen also commended Prince Harry for his natural affinity and genuine involvement with the competitors, emphasizing his crucial role as an ambassador for the Invictus Games.
Rasmus Penno from Estonia, who competed in indoor rowing during the Sydney Games and briefly met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, described his Winter Training Camp experience as 'fun.' Penno expressed gratitude for the royal couple's support, stating that their presence means a lot to all the competitors and that their backing leaves a lasting impact.
Peacemaker Azuegbulam, who won the first gold medal for an African team at the 2023 Invictus Games, plans to compete for Nigeria again. He expressed his appreciation for Meghan's support, highlighting the significance of her involvement and the love shown to Team Nigeria. Azuegbulam also expressed the excitement of bringing the Invictus Games to Nigeria.
Ivan Morera, a single-arm amputee who represented Team USA in Germany and will compete in Canada, shared his experience of learning to ski and snowboard at the camp. He expressed admiration for Prince Harry's understanding of military personnel, considering his own experiences in Afghanistan. Morera believes that the creation of the Invictus Games is a testament to Prince Harry's willingness to risk his life for his country and to support servicemen and women globally.
With the upcoming Invictus Games Winter Edition returning to Canada, it holds special significance for Prince Harry and Meghan. Canada played a pivotal role early on in their relationship, as they made their public debut as a couple at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, where Meghan lived while filming the television series Suits.
The Invictus Games continue to inspire and empower wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans through the healing power of sports. The Winter Training Camp serves as a springboard for the excitement and anticipation leading up to the 2025 Winter Hybrid Games in Canada. As Prince Harry and Meghan actively participate in and support these events, their commitment to honoring and uplifting the achievements and resilience of these remarkable athletes remains steadfast.
