Injured service members compete for Georgia at Invictus Games

Georgian service members injured during combat or peacekeeping operations are competing with counterparts from 16 other nations within the Invictus Games international competition held under the patronage of Prince Harry.

The tournament aims to contribute to the recovery and rehabilitation of injured, ill and wounded service members from around the world, with this year's event launched last Saturday in Toronto, Canada.

The Georgian team — featuring 15 athletes — is competing in six disciplines at the event: cycling, swimming, archery, Jaguar Land Rover driving challenge, sitting volleyball and powerlifting.

This year's Invictus Games launched in Toronto on Saturday. Photo: Georgia's Defence Minister press office.

Their efforts were supported at Saturday's opening ceremony by Minister of Defence of Georgia Levan Izoria and Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces Major General Vladimer Chachibaia, who attended the launch at the Air Canada Centre.

A reception honouring the team was also held in Toronto by Ambassador of Georgia to Canada Konstantine Kavtaradze, with Izoria speaking to the athletes during the event that also hosted their families.

The welcoming reception also saw a photo exhibition on Georgian peacekeepers in international missions, organised by the embassy.

The Georgian team's efforts at the competition are supported by fans in Toronto. Photo: Georgia's Defence Minister press office.

Georgia is participating in the games for the third time, with service members from the country claiming medals in last year's edition.

Established by Prince Harry in 2014, the games aim to recognise and support the achievements of service members who have suffered "life-changing injuries, both visible and invisible, while serving their countries".

The competition is streamed live through the official website invictusgames.live.