Invictus Games: How Organisers Are Preparing For 2022

Invictus Games organisers for The Hague 2020 are preparing for the tournament with just a year to go until it starts.

The event was initially scheduled to be held last year but due to coronavirus, it was postponed first to 2021, and then to 2022.

That means the next Invictus Games will take place in April 2022 and Conny Wenting, the CEO of Invictus Games The Hague 2022, says plans are taking shape.

"We know what the Games will probably 80% look like but we can connect some dots, bring charities, bring people together to also share the knowledge that the whole Invictus Games Foundation has gathered.

"I think with having more time we can have more focus on leaving a stronger legacy and making even more social impact," she said.

"What we are trying to do is create a festival type of atmosphere where it's nice for people to just go for a day out – so bring friends and family.

"It will be different because we don't have big stadiums. We'll build our own stadium which is up to 5,000 or 6,000 seats.

"It will be a very cosy atmosphere and what we will try to do is keep it very compact so there is not long distances to travel."

Another big announcement was made recently with the news that Netflix will be putting together a documentary on the build-up to the 2022 event with the involvement of the Invictus Games creator and patron, Prince Harry.

Dominic Reid, the CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, believes it is great exposure for the Invictus brand.

He explained: "The relationship with Netflix and us being on the front edge of that is fantastic.

"To be able to shine the Netflix spotlight on the Invictus generation and on those people who Prince Harry has always said are exemplary people.

"They are extraordinary role models, they are people who have served, people who have suffered, people who have done extraordinary things to rebuild themselves.

"The broader global public will now have access to that in a way that they simply haven't had before."

National broadcasters have done "a really good job" of covering Invictus, he said, but the Netflix documentary "will expose it to a lot of people".

"This will amplify it in a really powerful way.

"I'm really delighted that we are doing it. I think it's going to be a very significant step forward in the way that people understand not only disability but service."

Reid also discussed the support from Prince Harry to Invictus.

He said: "Prince Harry's ongoing support has never been in question. He's passionate about it and he always has been.

"He's always been deeply engaged and it's always been him who has brought us back to the really important thing which is about the competitors and about the friends and family."

The Netherlands is the first of the smaller nations to host the games when they kick off on 16 April 2022.

Conny Wenting says the delay has given organisers an opportunity to use their time wisely.

"We have some time to do some storytelling and really focus on social impact, trying to start telling the story around the Invictus Games," she added.