Following an incredible Canadian sports weekend that consisted of the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the National Hockey League’s Draft Lottery and the Toronto Raptors advancing to round two of the National Basketball Association’s playoffs for the first time in 15 years, the momentum continued this morning with the arrival of Prince Harry.
No, he isn’t in town to salute those sports franchises, rather, he is in The Big Smoke to discuss the 2017 Invictus Games, which will be held in Toronto next year from September 23-30.
Launched by Prince Harry in 2015, the Invictus Games is an athletic competition designed for veterans who may have been wounded, or fallen ill as a result of battle. Current members of the military as well as veterans without ailments are also able to participate.
In all, 600 competitors from 16 nations will compete in 12 sports, including archery, indoor rowing, golf, wheelchair rugby, swimming and more.
“2017 will be your chance to salute those that serve your country, those that put themselves in harms way so you don’t have to,” said Prince Harry, who previously fought in Afghanistan, during a press event today at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto. “Toronto takes on the responsibility for a competition that reminds us of the amazing contribution that our servicemen & women make.”
He continued: “The Games will become the focal point for hundreds of men and women who use the pull of Invictus glory to motivate their recovery. On home soil as Canada celebrates it’s 150th anniversary, your support will create a life changing atmosphere for competitors and spectators.”
The 2016 Invictus Games will take place in Orlando, Florida from May 8-12. Click here to watch Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth II, along with President Barrack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, enter into some fun pre-games trash talking.
Here is a look at Prince Harry’s Royal visit to Toronto, which included a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Toronto Mayor John Tory:
-Adam Grant
Prince Harry meets Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau to discuss plans for @InvictusToronto in September 2017. pic.twitter.com/OUwBPt7d2T
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2016
Hear what @JustinTrudeau had to say about Prince Harry and the #InvictusGames. pic.twitter.com/Pw5CRMYZrd
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2016
Getting ready for @InvictusOrlando… Prince Harry wishes Team Canada luck for next week. pic.twitter.com/BMVKKOQiaV
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2016
Prince Harry thanks Toronto for embracing the Invictus Spirit & looks forward to the biggest games yet in Sept 2017. pic.twitter.com/UmR2y2C6Cw
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2016
"I can’t wait to see Canada embrace the games & rise to the challenge of telling Chapter 3 of the Invictus story." pic.twitter.com/xnlzWkvNYm
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2016
Great atmosphere inside the Ryerson Mattamy Athletic Centre ahead of the sledge hockey. #InvictusGames pic.twitter.com/oiut6JcnY5
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2016
Prince Harry, @JustinTrudeau and @johntory have arrived @MattamyAC! pic.twitter.com/AVm6835SqD
— Invictus Games (@WeAreInvictus) May 2, 2016
.@JohnTory, @JustinTrudeau join #PrinceHarry for the puck drop @WeAreInvictus – livestream https://t.co/Kd9Agp5Rcs pic.twitter.com/2EJMlzreB9
— ET Canada (@ETCanada) May 2, 2016
Justin Trudeau "checks" Prince Harry and Toronto Mayor John Tory at sledge hockey exhibition game https://t.co/On2d9v3pZB
— Global News Toronto (@globalnewsto) May 2, 2016
