ESPN aired exclusive coverage of the Invictus Games, the only international adaptive sporting event for wounded, ill and injured active duty and veteran service members, this week.
To kick off the 2016 Games, Prince Harry, who launched the multi-sport event, and First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama attended the opening ceremonies. More than 500 competitors from 14 different countries are currently competing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
“We’re thrilled to be the television partner of the Invictus Games,” said John Skipper, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks, and president, ESPN. “At ESPN, we’re believers in the transforming power of sports to help people with their lives, whatever the circumstance is. We had the great experience last year at the Special Olympics to see what sports can do, and it seems like a natural next step to celebrate what sports can do for injured veterans.”
The ESPN family of networks featured athletes of various nations competing in archery, cycling, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
Visit ESPN FrontRow to read an article authored by ESPN commentator Chris Fowler and his thoughts on calling the 2016 Games for the network.