The 2025 Invictus Video games for injured navy and repair personnel have kicked off in Vancouver with a star-studded opening ceremony that includes artists Katy Perry, Roxane Bruneau, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Occasion producer Patrick Roberge says it’s the most “headliner stars” the sporting occasion has ever seen, including there are about 800 individuals who will carry out for a crowd of round 40,000 at B.C. Place.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, based the Video games in 2014 for wounded, injured or sick service personnel and veterans.
Crew Ukraine pose for an image throughout the ceremony. As much as 550 athletes from 23 nations are participating in 11 adaptive sports activities in Whistler and Vancouver (Ben Nelms/CBC)
As much as 550 athletes from 23 nations are participating in 11 adaptive sports activities in Whistler and Vancouver, with a number of of the occasions to happen in the identical venues that hosted the 2010 Olympic Video games.
This yr is the primary time the Video games will function winter sports activities, together with the skeleton, snowboarding occasions and wheelchair curling, alongside indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball occasions because it has had beforehand.
Roberge says organizers are excited to host the primary hybrid Video games, including that 4 First Nations are co-hosts, representing the “shared healing journey of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.”
Occasion producer Patrick Roberge says 4 First Nations are co-hosts, representing the ‘shared healing journey of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.’ (Ben Nelms/CBC)
“The general theme of the ceremonies will be ‘paddle together.’ It is also symbolic of our community coming together and hosting these Games,” Roberge instructed a media briefing on Thursday. “It’s [an] unbelievable response that we’ve been getting, not only from artists, but from the local community.”
He famous that Chris Martin, who penned the Invictus Video games anthem for the primary Video games in 2014, was set to carry out the track reside for the primary time at Saturday’s opening ceremony.
“We’re thrilled for that,” Roberge stated. “That’s going to be a great moment in the show.”
Singer Chris Martin takes the stage. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
He famous there’s a buzz of pleasure from everybody concerned.
“There’s definitely an energy. I’m feeling it and our performers are feeling it,” he stated. “I’m really looking forward to seeing that shared experience in B.C. Place, and letting people see that these Games are unique, and together with the performers and the audience and all of our volunteers, it’s going to be a great experience.”
Attendee Gabrille Hack was amongst those that filed into B.C. Place forward of the opening ceremony. She says her mom was volunteering on the occasion and bought her tickets.
“She was able to give us some more information what the event was and it’s super cool,” she stated.
Katy Perry preforms throughout the Invictus Video games opening ceremony. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
The 24-year-old Vancouver resident says the ambiance exterior the stadium felt “busy” and “bumping.”
“Seeing people in their military outfits and everything — I think it’s just such a unique atmosphere,” Hack stated, including that watching the musicians reside was one other main draw.
That sentiment was shared by fellow ceremony-goer Gina Behnke. The Germany native says Kahan was the “main reason” she wished to attend.
“Noah Kahan is my favourite artist and tickets for his concerts are really expensive, so this was a chance to see him, even if it’s just for one song,” Behnke stated.
Followers react whereas watching singer Noah Kahan carry out. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
This yr marks the seventh Video games, and the second time they’ve been held in Canada. Toronto beforehand acted as host in 2017.
Roberge additionally produced the opening and shutting ceremonies in Ontario.
Prince Harry and his spouse Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are anticipated to be in attendance all through the occasion. Prince Harry took to the stage Saturday throughout the opening ceremony to deal with the group.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, addressing the group throughout the opening ceremony. He based the Invictus Video games in 2014 to champion post-injury achievements of wounded, injured and sick navy veterans and different service personnel. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Final yr, the pair attended coaching camp in B.C., the place the prince tried out sit-skiing and skeleton in Whistler earlier than heading to Vancouver to strive wheelchair curling alongside Canadian singer Michael Bublé.
The Video games run till Feb. 16, and can conclude with a closing ceremony at Vancouver’s Rogers Enviornment that may function artists together with nation singer Jelly Roll and Canadian rock band Barenaked Girls.
