Wounded veterans participate in Invictus Games in Netherlands

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Tue, September 26, 2023 | 09:10

Politics

Wounded veterans participate in Invictus Games in Netherlands

Posted : 2022-04-15 18:31

Updated : 2022-04-17 10:36

Members of the Korean delegation for the 2022 Invictus Games pose during a departure ceremony held at Incheon International Airport, Thursday. The Invictus Games will be held in The Hague from April 16 to 22. Joint Press Corps

By Jung Da-min, Joint Press Corps

Eleven South Koreans will participate in this year's Invictus Games, a biennial international sporting competition for wounded veterans.

It is the first time for Korea to send a delegation to the event, scheduled to kick off on Saturday to run until April 22 in The Hague. The delegation departed for the Netherlands, Thursday.

About 500 athletes from around 20 countries will compete in 10 sports ― athletics, archery, cycling, indoor rowing, Land Rover Driving Challenge, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

Eleven Korean competitors will participate in archery, cycling, athletics track 100-meter heats, athletics field shotput and freestyle and backstroke swimming.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held a farewell ceremony for the delegation at Incheon International Airport, Thursday.

Kim Yun-geun, 73, the oldest participant of the Korean delegation, said he is especially excited, as he can finally participate in this year's competition, which had originally been scheduled for 2020 but was delayed to this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

"We could not practice as much as we wanted due to the COVID-19 situation but we will participate in the competition with pride that we represent the Republic of Korea when competing with participants from other countries," Kim said.

Founded in 2014 by the Duke of Sussex, the Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. With the word "invictus" meaning "unconquered" in Latin, the Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate wider understanding and respect for all those who serve their country.

"This is the first competition for a Korean delegation (in the Invictus Games) and it is already meaningful that we participate in it, so we will fully enjoy the event," said Han Tae-ho, leader of the Korean delegation. "But as it is a fair competition we will do our best to show off the performance capabilities we've accumulated over the years to achieve good results."

damin.jung@koreatimes.co.kr