Israel has become the 23rd country to participate in the Invictus Games, a prestigious sporting event for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans. The games were founded by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, in 2014 and are held every two years in different locations around the world. The next edition of the games will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September 2023.
A milestone for Israel and its disabled veterans
Israel’s participation in the games is a milestone for the country and its disabled veterans, who have overcome physical and mental challenges to pursue their passion for sports. Israel was invited to join the Invictus community by the Invictus Games Foundation, which organizes the event, after a joint effort by the Embassy of Israel in London, the Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Division and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization.
The Israeli delegation will consist of 19 service men and women who have been scarred by wars and terror attacks. They will compete in nine sports, including table tennis, swimming, archery, hand cycling and running. The delegation is led by Boaz Tabib, a paratrooper who was injured in the First Lebanon War in 1982 and is a table tennis champion.
“The flag represents not just the injury, but the entire country. We overcame the injury through work, starting a family and a business. The body is just a vessel. The vessel was damaged but the spirit is strong,” Tabib said.
Prince Harry praises Israeli team as “inspirational”
The Invictus Games kicked off on Saturday with an opening ceremony attended by Prince Harry, Germany’s Defense Minister and its Air Force commander, among others. The prince spoke with each member of the Israeli team and praised them for their resilience and determination.
One of the team members, Diego Golst, told Prince Harry that he took a bullet to the chest and to the leg in Gaza in 2001. When Prince Harry asked how he has been able to go on with his life, Golst said: “I believe in myself everyday, push myself to the limit and then a bit further and then some more.”
“That is inspirational,” Prince Harry replied.
The prince also greeted Kobi Gershoni, who competed in the three-wheeled wheelchairs race against Jordan’s Al-Shabuel on Sunday. Gershoni tried to congratulate his opponent for the win, but Al-Shabuel avoided the gesture. Gershoni was wounded in an explosion during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.
Another Israeli athlete who impressed on Sunday was Gil Yaakobi, who won third place in the 400-meter dash.
Israel’s expertise in sports rehabilitation
Israel’s involvement in the games is also an opportunity to showcase its expertise in sports rehabilitation, which has helped many disabled veterans to recover from their injuries and improve their quality of life. Israel has a long tradition of using sports as a tool for physical and mental healing, dating back to the 1950s when Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany, established the first Paralympic Games in Stoke Mandeville, England.
Israel has also developed innovative technologies and methods for sports rehabilitation, such as robotic exoskeletons, virtual reality systems and adaptive sports equipment. Israel’s Beit Halochem centers provide comprehensive services and facilities for disabled veterans, including sports training, coaching, competitions and social activities.
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Tzipi Hotoveli expressed her satisfaction with Israel’s participation in the Invictus Games: “I am pleased that Israel has been invited to be part of the Invictus community and to participate in one of the most important events in the world [for the disabled]. This cooperation adds another layer to the deep ties between the countries, focusing on cooperation in civil society. This will allow Israel and the disabled veterans not only to connect with their friends from around the world and participate in a wonderful event – but also to share Israel’s expertise in the fields of rehabilitation, mental health and the creation of a supportive community for disabled people.”
