The postponed Invictus Games in The Hague are now scheduled for May 29 to June 5, 2021. The organising committee of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 presented by Jaguar Land Rover has decided, in consultation with the Invictus Games Foundation, to work within the current Covid-19 measures and deliver the Games early next summer.
Original plans in The Hague
The Invictus Games are an important step towards recovery for all participants. Our plans will always put the safety and welfare of wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women and their friends and family first. The presence of special guests and visitors will create a positive atmosphere at the event alongside interaction with both the competitors and their Friends & Family. Due to the current circumstances around covid-19, guidance and social distancing measures are being carefully considered while planning these Games.
Mart de Kruif, Chairman of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, said: “The Coronavirus, and its effects, influences every public mass event. We will organise the Invictus Games safely, for the competitors, their loved ones and spectators, but we will work within the current Covid-19 measures. We still strive to deliver a safe, surprising and impactful Games.”
Benito Versluijs, competitor of the Dutch Invictus Games Team, said: “It was a big disappointment that the Invictus Games could not take place this year, but also understandable in the current situation. I look forward to competing in the Games in 2021. All the hard work and the efforts of the organisation and the Dutch delegation are still valuable and a good basis to work on an even more beautiful event in 2021. Together with my teammates, Family and Friends we will celebrate our invincibility and show the Invictus Spirit. With a date to focus on, I can set my new goals and work towards May 2021. Together with the team we will schedule our training moments, so we will all be prepared to show our strength to the world. ”
Belgium were due to compete as an Invictus Games nation for the first time in The Hague. Peter Caubergh, competitor of the Belgian Invictus Games Team, said: “The preparation leading up to our very first Games was good. We had training moments with the French Invictus Games Team and got a clinic from the Belgian national rowing team. When the big tournaments like the Olympic Games started to postpone, it was clear that the Invictus Games had to be postponed as well. As an emergency doctor, working at the First Aid during this pandemic was mentally hard but also a very special period. I am now slowly starting to train again as the team trainings are scheduled for September and October. Although we keep in touch digitally, it will be good to see the whole group again and everyone is still excited to, the NOS will contribute to sharing the compelling stories of the competitors.
Conny Wenting, CEO of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, said: “As a team we have done our utmost to find a new date in 2021. The municipality of The Hague is warmly welcoming us again amid the crowded agenda with other postponed events. The support of our Founding, Presenting and Commercial partners gives us great confidence that we can deliver the best possible event given the current circumstances in 2021.”
ISPS Handa are a proud partner of the Invictus Games Foundation and the Invictus Games The Hague 2020
