In Düsseldorf, Prince Harry opened the Invictus Games for war-disabled athletes. He himself initiated the games, which are now taking place in Germany for the first time.
“Good evening everyone and welcome to the Invictus Games 2023 here in Düsseldorf,” said the 38-year-old in German and added: “I am a Düsseldorfer.”
The Invictus Games are a sports competition for disabled veterans that usually take place every two years. The competition will be held in Germany for the first time. More than 500 wounded, injured and sick soldiers and veterans from 21 nations enter Dusseldorf compete against each other in ten sports. About half of the competitors suffer primarily from psychological damage. Prince Harry launched the games in 2014 – he has a special connection to the military: he was a soldier in Afghanistan himself.
The British prince sat next to Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) at the opening ceremony. The team from Ukraine was particularly enthusiastically received at the competition in aid of war disabled people. Pistorius called for continued support for Ukraine at the opening ceremony. “We must never stop supporting Ukraine, however long it takes,” he said to applause from 20,000 spectators in the arena. The rapper Macklemore, among others, will also be at the big opening ceremony in the Düsseldorf Arena.
Harry has been in Düsseldorf since Friday
Harry landed in the state capital late on Friday afternoon. There was an official reception on Saturday afternoon. In front of the Düsseldorf town hall on the Invictus Games carpet, he was welcomed by Mayor Stephan Keller (CDU) and Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD).
More than 100 waiting fans who had hoped for selfies and autographs were disappointed: immediately after the welcome they went to the town hall. Harry and Pistorius were supposed to sign their names in the Golden Book there. Delegations from the 21 participating nations have also registered.
Harry celebrates his birthday in Düsseldorf
Harry will be in town for the entire tournament week. So there is still time for fans and onlookers to catch a glimpse of him. Several media outlets report that Harry will be staying in a luxury hotel in the media harbor.
Meghan 2022 in Düsseldorf: At that time, the couple presented the plans for the games
Prince Harry will probably watch a lot of games in the following days. What he will do in Düsseldorf remains a surprise. Maybe he would like to take a trip to the old town? Harry and his wife Meghan were in the state capital a year ago to present the plans for the current Invictus Games. Back then, Harry said in a good mood that he had heard that the beer there was better than in Cologne.
Duchess Meghan is not expected in Düsseldorf until later this week. She should be there by Friday. Then her husband Harry celebrates his 39th birthday.
War opponents want to protest against Invictus Games
First and foremost, the Invictus Games should be about respect and the fate of the injured participants. Out of Gelsenkirchen Dennis Siesing, for example, is running. As a soldier in Afghanistan, he saw his best friend killed by an IED. Since then he has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. “When a door slams, a lot of people, burnt grilled meat, these things still trigger me twelve years later,” says Siesing.
Invictus Games criticism of the competition
During Harry’s visit on Saturday there was a small protest rally by war opponents in Düsseldorf. They criticize the fact that the Invictus Games are also sponsored by companies from the defense industry. They also consider the event to be a “normalization of war.” Their protest is expressly not directed against the athletes, but rather against the organizers.