A big party at the Qudos Bank Arena closed the fourth edition of the Invictus Games in Sydney which saw the participation of 17 athletes from the Paralympic Defense Sports Group (GSPD) with over 500 competitors from 18 countries.
As usual, the protagonists of the ceremony are athletes, families and friends who animate the true spirit of the Games. Parallel to the sports competition emerge feelings of sharing, brotherhood and friendship between athletes and families of various nationalities, thus contributing to the path of psychophysical recovery. Exciting was the passing of delivery of the Invictus Games Flag that will fly from the Netherlands to the Netherlands, where the fifth edition will take place in 2020.
Prince Harry, inspirer of this initiative which is proving to be increasingly successful, congratulated the athletes for the spirit and commitment with which they faced the competitions, for having given to the new generations (over 6000 school groups present during the week of the Paralympic International Games) a message of optimism and trust, demonstrating that life is a gift and must always be kept despite adversity. "Every illness (physical and mental) - said Prince Harry - it can and must be taken care of, asking for help with courage without anyone considering itself as last."
During the stay in Sydney, the Italian delegation met the Italian-Australian community that followed with great interest and participation the commitment of the Paralympic athletes.
The Italy Team returns to Italy with 18 medals including 7 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronzes.
This is an excellent result that confirms all the expectations placed in the sporting event also in consideration of the two awards received for the Fly the Flag communication campaign as the best iconic project and creative idea.
The communication campaign was launched by the Invictus Foundation this summer and consisted of "waving" the Invictus Flag in the places of greatest interest of the participating nations involving National Institutions and Institutions.
