By Martin Zeilig
Colonel Aaron Spott, 17 Wing Commander, said he didn’t hesitate for a second” when he was approached some months back to host the training camp for the CAF’s 2023 Invictus Games team.
On May 17th, Team Canada was announced for the Invictus Games scheduled for September 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Attendees at the unveiling ceremony included the Honorable Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba, Major-General Ian Huddleston, Commander 1 Canadian Air Division, and Captain (N) Adamthwaite, the Deputy Commander, CAF Transition Group, among other dignitaries.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase the passion and the drive of these athletes, as well as to showcase the Wing’s support and professionalism of our PSP staff because they’ve been working exceptionally hard behind the scenes to support what’s going on here this week.”
“With the 6th Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, our goal is to give soldiers who are wounded, injured, or ill in body and soul a greater awareness and recognition in society and to support their path in rehabilitation,” Capt(N) Adamthwaite noted in his opening address.
Among the team of 30, composed of actively serving and retired members, this year’s team consists of two local athletes, Corporal (ret) Lealand Muller and Sergeant (ret) Lana Taylor.
“I’ll be competing in discus throwing, hand cycling and wheelchair basketball,” Cpl (ret) Muller, who is from Winnipeg.
“I received an email from Soldier On and applied for the Invictus Games through them.”
Soldier On is a program of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) which contributes to the recovery of ill and injured CAF members and veterans by providing opportunities and resources through sport, recreational, and creative activities.
“It’s been an incredible opportunity to meet with other CAF members and learn from their shared experiences of adversity and overcoming obstacles in their lives, and being able to learn from them has been tremendous in my own recovery,” Cpl (ret) Muller.
Sgt (ret) Taylor, who retired last September after 30 years in the CAF, will be competing in swimming, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball.
“It’s an absolute game changer.”
“Everybody is here doing it together. It is fabulous to be here with other athletes—the camaraderie and being together. I’m looking forward to being in Dusseldorf.”
Go Canada Go!
To follow Team Canada please visit: Invictus Games - Team Canada (soldieron.ca)