Ukraine sent its national team to the Invictus Winter Games (photo).

The farewell ceremony for the national team of Ukraine to the Invictus Winter Games took place in Kyiv. These will be the first hybrid competitions in history, as this Time both summer and winter sports will be included in the program. This was reported by a correspondent of 'Glavkom'.

The championship, which will take place in Canadian cities Whistler and Vancouver from February 8 to 16, 2025, will involve 550 athletes from 25 countries. Representatives of the national teams will participate in 11 adaptive sports: athletics, table tennis, rowing on simulators, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, as well as mountain skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling.

The team captain Oleksandr Andriienko – a police captain representing the Donetsk region – wished the athletes to achieve maximum results in the competitions.

'I wish you to maximize your potential. Each of you has proven that you are a winner. You inspire your brothers and sisters by your example. You have shown how to live life to the fullest when you were on the brink of death,' he says.

The Invictus Games are international competitions for military personnel and veterans with injuries or disabilities. They are held within the framework of a project by the Ministry for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine with the support of First Lady Olena Zelenska.

Veterans and servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, National Police of Ukraine, Security Service of Ukraine, as well as volunteers who were injured, wounded, or fell ill during or as a result of performing their duties in combat zones in the Russo-Ukrainian War since 2014 could participate in the selection for the Ukrainian team at the Invictus Games 2025.

About the Invictus Games

The Invictus Games are an international sporting event featuring adaptive sports for veterans and servicemen who have suffered injuries or illnesses while fulfilling their military duties. The term 'Invictus' means 'unconquered', 'unyielding', or 'invincible'. 'This word embodies the indomitable spirit of men and women who have been injured, wounded, or fallen ill while performing their duties on the battlefield. They have endured severe trials, yet they did not allow themselves to be broken.