HRH The Duke of Sussex, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, today announced that the fifth Games – to be held in May 2020 – will be hosted in The Hague, The Netherlands.
Invictus Games Foundation Patron, HRH The Duke of Sussex said “I am delighted to announce that The Hague is taking up the challenge of hosting the fifth Invictus Games in 2020. The city will soon become the motivation for hundreds of servicemen and women using the Invictus Games to inspire their recovery from physical and mental injuries. The Netherlands has supported the Games from the very beginning, and I know that everyone there will fully get behind and support the soldiers and veterans who have served their countries so bravely. We have already seen in London, Orlando, and Toronto just how exciting hosting the Invictus Games can be, and I know this will be an incredible experience for everyone in the Hague as they embrace the Invictus spirit in 2020.”
The Invictus Games The Hague 2020, will bring together over 500 competitors from 19 nations to compete in a series of adaptive sports.
The Hague was selected following a competitive international tender process, with the Invictus Games Foundation Chairman, Sir Keith Mills GBE, noting that, in particular; ‘the bid exemplified the Invictus spirit.’
He further added, ’Post-War, The Hague has undergone its own process of rebuilding and rehabilitation, a theme many of those competing can intimately relate to. A city transformed, The Hague inspired a nation. So too, we believe the 2020 Invictus Games will act as an inspiration to competitors and those attending or watching at home."
Events will be held across the city over the course of a week, with further details to be announced later this year.
The Invictus Games The Hague 2020 Chairman, Lt Gen (ret) Mart de Kruif, said: ‘We are very honoured that the Invictus Games is coming to The Hague. 2020 is an important milestone for The Netherlands, marking 75 years since liberation. The Invictus Games provides the perfect opportunity for us to link the past to the present by paying a tribute to wounded, injured and sick service personnel who served, and are serving, the military. These role models have shown that the strength of the human spirit is unbeatable.’
The announcement comes as competitors from across the world prepare to head to Sydney this October, for what will be the fourth iteration of the Invictus Games.
Following consultation with stakeholders – including the participating nations – the Invictus Games Foundation plans to extend the period between Games to two years. This will happen over the next two games cycles following the completion of this year’s Games in Sydney.
Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation said: “Ensuring that the beacon created by the Invictus Games remains lit for future generations of serving personnel and veterans is the Foundation’s priority. In moving to a biennial Games, the Invictus Games Foundation will use the intervening years to develop knowledge transfer and the sharing of best practice to allow the Invictus Spirit to flourish amongst all participating nations.”
For more information on Invictus Games The Hague 2020, please visit www.invictusgames2020.nl.
