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Invictus Games Sydney 2018
Australia will field its largest team at this year ’ s Invictus Games in Sydney . 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 for Defence , Senator Marise Payne , said she was proud of each and every one of the 72-member Australian team ( pictured right ).
Minister for Defence Personnel , 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 .
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 rugby .
Iconic Sydney venues being used for the Games include Sydney Olympic Park , Sydney Opera House , Sydney Harbour and The Domain .
“ I completed around 2000 parachute descents , which took a toll on my body , specifically my knees , to the point that a knee replacement was required ,” he said .
“ The knee replacement failed and , after three attempts , infection had set in and amputation was
Dave Connolly , above , and Sonya Newman in the pool , below . necessary . I am now an above-knee amputee .”
Dave said after his leg was amputated , he suffered depression , but felt fortunate to be selected for the first Invictus Games in London in 2014 .
“ Playing sport with other military and ex-military with the same – if not worse injuries than mine – rekindled my competitiveness ,” he said .
“ Training to excel at sport with a disability is hard and requires focus and commitment . This keeps my mind active and gives me a sense of achievement and purpose . After London , I returned to Australia and joined the local wheelchair basketball team .”
After competing in the Invictus Games in London in 2014 and then Orlando in 2016 , training became a part of Dave ’ s weekly routine .
“ It ’ s satisfying to strive for a goal ,” he said .
“ In the ADF ( Australian Defence Force ) you are part of a team and you always strive to better yourself . However , after discharge , all this dissipates and is amplified when faced with a disability . It is great to be able to compete with and against people who are at your level , with disabilities you can relate to .”
Dave said he feels privileged to be selected for a third Invictus Games .
“ Winning would be the pinnacle of all the hard training I have completed up to now ,” he said .
“ However , regardless of the result , I have already won by being eligible for the Games . It does not matter whether you win or lose , it is the spirit of how you play the game .” www . invictusgames2018 . org
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A
Invictus Games Sydney 2018
ustralia will field its largest team
at this year’s Invictus Games in
Sydney. 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 for Defence, Senator
Marise Payne, said she was proud of
each and every one of the 72-member
Australian team (pictured right).
Minister for Defence Personnel, 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.
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 rugby.
Iconic Sydney venues being used for the Games include Sydney
Olympic Park, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour and The Domain.
“I completed around 2000
parachute descents, which took a toll
on my body, specifically my knees,
necessary. I am now an above-knee
amputee.”
Dave said after his leg was
“In the ADF (Australian Defence
to the point that a knee replacement amputated, he suffered depression, Force) you are part of a team and
was required,” he said. but felt fortunate to be selected for the you always strive to better yourself.
first Invictus Games in London in 2014. However, after discharge, all this
“Playing sport with other military dissipates and is amplified when
“The knee replacement failed
and, after three attempts, infection
had set in and amputation was
Dave Connolly, above, and Sonya
Newman in the pool, below.
and ex-military with the same – if not faced with a disability. It is great to
worse injuries than mine – rekindled be able to compete with and against
my competitiveness,” he said. people who are at your level, with
“Training to excel at sport with a
disability is hard and requires focus
and commitment. This keeps my
mind active and gives me a sense
Dave said he feels privileged to be
selected for a third Invictus Games.
“Winning would be the pinnacle
of all the hard training I have
London, I returned to Australia completed up to now,” he said.
basketball team.”
After competing in the Invictus
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