Prince Harry attended a Sport Relief training session this week to lend his support to the two 2014 Invictus Games competitors who will be taking part in Sport Relief: Clash of the Titans on Friday 18th March as part of the Sport Relief Night of TV on BBC One.
As founder of the Invictus Games and Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry said: “I think the fact that Invictus athletes are taking part in Sport Relief is huge for us. It’s fantastic for the guys to be recognised for both their efforts in the past, and the goals they’re achieving now, post injury. It’s also great for everyone else – they’re inspiring so many people across the country. I’m thrilled that Invictus has a part to play in this”"
Double Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes also attended the training session to impart her expertise to the 2014 Invictus Games competitors, Mike Goody and Paul Vice.
Mike Goody and Paul Vice, who are hoping to be selected for the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, will be running an 800m route across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as part of the team triathlon event as members of Sir Steve Redgrave and Freddie Flintoff's teams.
Mike Goody is a former Aircraftsman who served in the RAF. He was injured when his patrol was hit by an IED and the blast led to him losing part of his left leg below the knee and caused hearing loss on his left side. At the Invictus Games in 2014, Mike won four gold medals and one silver in swimming.
Paul Vice was awarded the Military Cross for his outstanding courage and gallantry. He was critically injured whilst on a foot patrol in Afghanistan, when he was blown up by a command wire IED which tore his body to shreds and severed his carotid artery. He had 400 shrapnel pieces removed, broke his neck and his right arm was paralysed. Paul also suffered brain damage, nerve damage to his left leg (which later had to be amputated) and was left partially sighted in his left eye. At the 2014 Invictus Games he competed in Archery and Cycling where he was awarded a gold medal.
Paul Vice said: “Taking part in the Invictus Games in 2014 was one of the best experiences of my life. After everything that happened to me I was once again part of a team and amongst people who understood what I’d been through. But the Invictus Games was about much more than just a few days of sport – it’s led to so many more opportunities in life, opportunities like Sport Relief. I’m looking forward to giving Mike, my fellow 2014 Invictus Games compatriot, a good race during Clash of the Titans – I hope he’s ready!”
Mike Goody said: “After I was injured I faced some very dark times – both physically and psychologically. Life as I had known it was now very different. I was involved in sport before but after I was injured it became even more important to me. Taking part in the Invictus Games helped turn my life around. Sport Relief Clash of the Titans is not something I ever imagined I’d have the opportunity to be involved in. I’m definitely going to give it all I’ve got on the night.”
Sport Relief: Clash of the Titans will see two teams of celebrities go head to head in a series of five Olympic sporting challenges at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Friday 18th March. Sir Steve Redgrave and Freddie Flintoff will lead each team, and the celebrities will compete in; track cycling (men’s elimination race), team rhythmic gymnastics, synchronised swimming, wrestling and a team triathlon – in the hope of being crowned ‘Clash of the Titans’ champions.
Under the leadership of Sir Steve Redgrave and Freddie Flintoff and alongside the Invictus Games competitors Mike and Paul, Sport Relief: Clash of the Titans teams will also include Clara Amfo, Hugh Dennis, Darren Gough, Maddy Hill, Harry Judd, Omid Djalili, Russell Kane, Paddy McGuinness, Sophie Raworth, Dan Snow, Will Young and Mark Wright.
The inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014 used the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women. The next Invictus Games will take place in Orlando, 8th-12th May 2016 with the UK Armed Forces team to be announced in due course.
2014 Invictus Games competitors will also take part in the Sport Relief Games at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday 20 March.
To show your support and cheer on the teams alongside an audience of 8,000 people, visit www.bbc.co.uk/sportrelief for ticket information. £2.50 from the sale of each ticket will go directly to Sport Relief. The BBC will not profit from the sale of these tickets.
Sport Relief Night of TV will air on BBC One on Friday 18th March from 7pm.
The Sport Relief Weekend takes place from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th March and sees the return of the Sport Relief Games.
Money raised this Sport Relief will make a massive difference to people living incredibly tough lives, here at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest communities.
