The Hon Darren Chester MP
25 Jun 21
Release details
Release type
Related ministers and contacts
Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Defence
The Hon Darren Chester MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Media contacts
Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office): 0429 531 143
Whil Prendergast (Minister Chester’s office): 0427 672 815
Defence Media: (02) 6127 1999, media@defence.gov.au
Release content
15 June 2018
Joint media release with, The Hon Darren Chester MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel
Australia will field its largest ever team at this year’s Invictus Games to be held in Sydney.
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today announced the combined Australian Defence Force and RSL team with 72 participants in this year’s games from 20–27 October 2018.
The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for current and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service.
Minister Payne said she was proud of each and every one of the 2018 Australian team.
“Training for events like the Invictus Games gives the athletes the opportunity to overcome their physical and mental hardships and focus on what they can achieve post-injury, reflecting their inherent fighting spirit,” Minister Payne said.
“The Games are an opportunity to honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women who defend our freedoms and values. It is also a chance to show our respect for the courage and determination our Australian team members have shown to overcome adversity and compete on the world stage.
“Every Australian will be cheering on our team to succeed on home soil this October.”
Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester MP, said the Invictus games use the power of sport to motivate recovery and generate a wider understanding of the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve their country.
“These games also recognise the significant contribution that family and friends make in supporting our veterans,” Mr Chester said.
“We should never forget the sacrifice that has been made for us by our serving men and women.”
Sydney will host 500 athletes from 18 nations competing in individual and team sports, including archery, athletics, indoor rowing, the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, powerlifting, road cycling, sailing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
The Australian athletes’ biographies are online at www.defence.gov.au/events/invictusgames