You sought to save yourself, and you besides saved us all. Being you, you make the planet a better place," said Prince Harry at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver. More than 500 players from 23 countries participated. Polish representation from Canada returns with six medals.
The fight for medals continued to the very end Invictus Games Games. By Sunday afternoon, there were indoor rowing competitions at the Vancouver convention center. Many veterans, including 15 Polish soldiers, fought for medals on the ergometer with large determination. Players divided into different categories (due to the degree of wellness damage) rowed in 2 competitions: in a race lasting 4 minutes and 1 minute. The best of Poles, st. chor. in st. rest. Rafał Korzenewski won the last day of the game as many as 2 pucks: bronze for rowing in a four-minute competition and silver in a one-minute duel. It's not the only veteran medal. Earlier, during the winter struggles in Whistler, a retired officer scored silver medal for cross-country skiing. In total, during the Invictus Games played in Vancouver and Whistler, the Poles won six discs, including 1 gold.
Film: Magdalena Kowalska-Sendek, Marcin Kopieć / ArmouredTV, st. Sergeant. Rafał Samluk / Combat Camera DORSZ. Editing: Aleksander Kruk / ArmedTV
– It feels amazing to win 3 medals. I gotta say, I didn't anticipate that. I am filled with joy and euphoria – he spoke moments after receiving the silver disc Rafał Korzenewski. I was secretly hoping I'd bring 1 medal from Canada... And here three! – he adds with a smile. At the same time, he admits that four-minute rowing was a affirmative surprise for him. – To be honest, I didn't prepare for this launch, I even wanted to quit this competition. Fortunately, my friend and coach, Sergeant. Dariusz Cegiełka won't let me do it and he persuaded me to compete," Korzenewski says. Like all Polish soldiers, Korzenewski besides points out that the best results in Vancouver are achieved thanks to fans and good cheering. We have the best fans in the world. Even erstwhile I was rowing, I had a minute of doubt, I heard their support, and I knew I couldn't let go. Thank you very much for that," he adds.
Goodbye, Vancouver, welcome Birmingham
Shortly after the medals were presented, all representations went to the downtown Vancouver arena Rogers. It was there that the ceremonial ending of the Invictus Games took place. More than 12,000 people attended the ceremony, including over 500 players from 23 countries.
Speeches during the ceremony were given by Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada and Prince Harry, a associate of the British royal household the originator of the competition and founder of the Invictus Games Foundation. It's a large honor to be here. Invictus Games is more than just a athletics rivalry. This is simply a evidence of perseverance in the face of adversity, strength and resilience of the human spirit," Trudeau said. He stressed that intellectual and physical injuries should not specify human life or what we can or want to achieve. Each of you is an inspiration. You inspire your countrymen and fellow veterans. You risked your wellness or your life to defend our freedom or values that we profess," said the Canadian Prime Minister.
In his moving speech, Prince Harry thanked the Invictus Games participants for their integrity and courage, talking about the "spirit of Invictus", which consists in unity and common support. – I address your wives, husbands, partners, grandparents and all friends: get up and let us know you! We respect you," Harry said. He besides worshiped those who missed the Invictus Games: veterans who left in the field or as a consequence of depression or suicide attempts. “I besides thank all those whose way to these games was difficult, who wondered whether to participate in them, and present they became an inspiration for us. You sought to save yourself, and you besides saved us all. Both those who love you and those who don't really know you," said Prince Harry.
He pointed out that the hero, the function model, is not just a individual with interior strength or resilience. “It is besides about honesty, compassion and courage,” he said. I can't promise you that there will be no more hard moments, but I'm certain you're better prepared for that today. You got back what you lost. You have done the impossible,” said Harry. A associate of the British royal household promised veterans that the Invictus Games would last as long as needed. “They will proceed until people look at you with admiration and respect,” he said. He besides announced that another edition of the competition would take place in 2027 in Birmingham, UK.
During the ceremony on phase in Rogers Arena they performed, among others, The War and Treaty, rapper Jelly rotation and Barenaked Ladies.
Thank you, White Red!
In the seventh edition of the Invictus Games, veterans competed in a number of different competitions, including swimming, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, indoor rowing and for the first time in Invictus' past in winter competitions: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlons, snowboarding, skeletal and curling in wheelchairs. Almost all these disciplines – but basketball and rugby – were performed by Poles.
– Another edition of Invictus Games behind us, a unique edition, due to the fact that winter. I am very pleased with the results of our competitors, due to the fact that not only have we won many medals, but we have besides obtained good marks in individual competitions – she said Lt. Dr. Katarzyna Radziewska, manager of the Veteran Centre for Activities outside the State Borders. - It's not the medals that are most crucial here. What matters is the work that veterans have done since the first training groups until they competed in Canada and how they presented themselves during Invictus. Everyone has overcome their limitations, showed that he is invincible, that the strength and character of soldiers of the Polish Army never ceases. I look forward to each of the players – she added. Prime Minister Nałdowska stressed that together with the players in Canada there were besides their families. – They supported the players in a wonderful way. There was incredible energy coming from them – she stressed.
Ensign of Polish representation and besides the oldest player in the Polish squad of st. chor. staff. Dariusz Gawel admits that he is very happy that he could take part in these competitions. He was moved erstwhile during the beginning ceremony he carried the Polish flag to the stadium. – Participation in Invictus was a large challenge for me, but besides a distinction. It was an adventure of my life, and I am glad that my household besides participated in it, says the officer. Ensign Gaweł is simply a veteran of the 2nd PKW shift in Afghanistan, while Invictus competed in ski runs, skeleton and volleyball on a seat.
Poland on the IG represented 19 mission veterans. The players did a large occupation especially during the winter competition at Whistler. They besides did not disappoint the fans during volleyball games sitting down. And although in this discipline they failed to defend a double gold medal from erstwhile editions of Invictus, the players from the field came down undefeated.
– I encourage all veterans to effort their forces and stand for elimination to the squad for the next edition of Invictus Games. This, of course, involves training and preparation, but I assure you that participation in these games is an unforgettable adventure for players and their families," says Rafał Korzeniewski. “It will always be in my memory that as a community of Invictus Games, and so players and close veterans, we have created 1 large household here”, emphasized the Polish squad representative.
Medal statistics:
Gold medal – downhill skiing: Lieutenant-Rez. Sebastian Starostka
Silver medal – cross-country skiing: st. chor. in st. rest. Rafał Korzenewski
Silver medal – hall rowing: st. chor. in st. spocz. Rafał Korzenewski
Bronze medal – hall rowing: st. chor. in st. rest. Rafał Korzenewski
Bronze medal – skeleton: Captain Piotr Maletka
Bronze medal – skeleton: Lieutenant-Rez. Sebastian Starostka
As part of the Polish representation at the Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler Games, they performed: Captain Marcin Burzyński, St. Chor. staff. Dariusz Gaweł, young chor. Grzegorz Jankowski, plut. Tomasz Józefek, PhD Dominik Jung, st. chor. w st. spocz. Rafał Korzenewski, plut. Andrzej Kuciński, Sgt. Piotr Leśniak, young chor. Adam Lewkowski, Captain Piotr Maletka, Lieutenant Paweł Mróz, Sergeant Simon Mutwicki, Lieutenant Mariusz Sawicki, Sergeant. Rafał Janusz Sidorczuk, Lieutenant-Res. Sebastian Starostka, Sergeant Arkadiusz Studziński, young chor. Emil Uran, chor. wsp. Przemysław Wójtowicz, Colonel Robert Zachmacz. The coach of the Polish squad was the sergeant. Dariusz Cegiełka, and head of sports squad Major Margaret Kalita.
The coordinator of the Polish sports squad Invictus Games was the Centre for Veteran Activities outside the State Borders. The media patron of the Invictus Games competition was “Army Poland”, the strategical partner of the Polish Armed Group.
