22.04.22_JP_119640_fccd5b74-e11a-46e6-b18e-4a0ff68a2559_20220422074009

Day 7: Friday April 22

An incredible week in The Hague came to an end on Friday with a spectacular closing ceremony. The vibe that prevailed at the Invictus Games Park for seven days was special, the stories that participants, family & friends, volunteers, visitors and others told us and each other at least as special. Thanks, and see you in Düsseldorf!

Competitors

Competitors

Jelle van der Steen

Jelle van der Steen

He had followed the first days of the Invictus Games via the website, the daily broadcasted program on Dutch Television NOS and an endless series of apps, videos and calls with his teammates. “But I had to and would go to The Hague”, says Jelle van der Steen. That, of course, was quite a challenge. Because how do you get someone who is in a hospital bed at an event? The Wish Ambulance brought a solution. Van der Steen can thus follow the matches of the wheelchair basketball team, his team, from the sidelines. In a bed.
Siraj Muneer (Team Iraq)

Siraj Muneer (Team Iraq)

For Siraj Muneer (34) the Invictus Games as a competitor are already over. The last day of the event he spends cheering for other athletes.

Family & Friends

Family & Friends

Tarmo and Madis, two Estonian soul mates

Tarmo and Madis, two Estonian soul mates

They have many similarities, Tarmo Lepik and Madis Pori. They are both 34 years old and live in the Estonian capital Tallinn. Both are missing their legs. Tarmo is in a wheelchair, Madis is walking on artificial legs. Much to their dismay, their active participation in the Invictus Games has now come to an end. Under the then rules, Tarmo was allowed to participate three more times. For Madis, The Hague is his second and last Invictus Games.
Carl and Emily from Canada

Carl and Emily from Canada

Carl and Emilie Poulin, a couple eating chips in the park on a weekday. Only she is a wounded Canadian soldier. Carl is her friend and supporter.

At the park

At the park

John op ’t Roodt, bike mechanic at “Wounded Warriors”

John op ’t Roodt, bike mechanic at “Wounded Warriors”

Close to the start and finish of the track where the cycle races will take place today John op ‘t Roodt (51) from Thorn is busy preparing the bikes for the competition. He’s expecting things to get busy. Besides the Dutch, he already was helpful to the Polish and Canadian competitors.
Sustainability, an important theme during and after the Invictus Games

Sustainability, an important theme during and after the Invictus Games

If the Invictus Games Den Haag 2020, presented by Jaguar Land Rover have taught us one thing, it is that we still must even look closer after each other. And the environment. The organization of these Games anticipated on that by addressing themes like sustainability. It’s important to leave a legacy. Some examples.
Organizers Düsseldorf 2023 extra motivated by The Hague

Organizers Düsseldorf 2023 extra motivated by The Hague

A short conversation with two of the organizers of the upcoming Invictus Games in Düsseldorf (2023) would almost make you proud or embarrassed as an organizer from The Hague. Both deputy program leader Martin Ammermann and press officer Lars Koch of the German project team have only nice words for the current version. Both are very impressed, have an excellent feeling about it and praise the excellent organisation. In two German words “Ganz Toll”. They are extra motivated and have respect for everything that is to come.