2016 Invictus Games Welcomes Jaguar Land Rover as the Presenting Partner
Jaguar Land Rover repeats their leadership as the presenting partner for the largest military international adaptive sporting event hosting 500 athletes from 15 nations in Orlando, Florida
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 28, 2015 – Today, the Invictus Games 2016 organizers announced that British luxury automotive manufacturer, Jaguar Land Rover, will be the presenting partner for the 2016 Invictus Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL from May 8-12. Together Prince Harry, Ken Fisher, the Chairman and CEO of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, and Joe Eberhardt, President & CEO, Jaguar Land Rover, North America, LLC, were hosted by British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott to celebrate their continued support.
“I am thrilled that the Invictus Games are happening again. Hundreds of additional veterans from around the world will benefit from taking part and millions more people will be inspired by their stories. This is going to be four incredible days of sport,” said Prince Harry.
Jaguar Land Rover was the Presenting Partner of the inaugural Invictus Games, held to wide acclaim in London 2014. In addition to providing financial backing for the Games, Jaguar Land Rover is also committed to helping former military service members transition into civilian careers, as well as providing work placement rehabilitation programs for injured service members. With their pledge to once again support the Invictus Games by being the Presenting Partner for the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, Jaguar Land Rover demonstrates a commitment to service members and veterans from all participating nations and the lasting legacy of the Invictus Games.
“Jaguar Land Rover is immensely proud to be the Presenting Partner of the 2016 Invictus Games here in the United States,” said Joe Eberhardt, President & CEO, Jaguar Land Rover, North America, LLC. “We strongly believe that there is a close alignment between our company’s values and the passionate, unstoppable determination of armed forces veterans. Our goal, in partnership with the Invictus Organization, is to continue to inspire and encourage injured and wounded military personnel.”
The Invictus Games Orlando 2016 presented by Jaguar Land Rover will bring together more than 500 competitors from 15 nations to compete in 10 sports: archery, cycling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, powerlifting, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis. The 2014 Invictus Games, which were held in London, saw crowds of 65,000 cheer on over 400 competitors, as millions more tuned in to witness their achievements on television. With the Orlando Games in 2016, the Invictus spirit will continue to spread internationally.
Ken Fisher, the Chairman and CEO of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 said: “The power of sport aids the recovery and rehabilitation of our wounded military heroes. The 2016 Games will highlight the journeys and achievements of those recovering from visible and invisible wounds. We must continue the dialogue that will inspire these men and women to re-engage, to embody what they can do and shine a light in the often dark and isolated area of invisible injuries. In just over 6 months 500 competitors from 15 nations will arrive in Orlando with their friends and family to compete in the 2016 Games. We want to give them the best United States’ welcome we can.”
Sir Peter John Westmacott (KCMG LVO), the British Ambassador to the United States, shared a quote from U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Israel Del Toro, “When your life changes as dramatically as mine, there’s a chance you might give up. I never let that happen to me and I never will. Everyone knows if you quit before you start, you’re done. I will never let the guy who set that bomb get the satisfaction that they ruined my life.” TSgt. Del Toro was severely injured in Afghanistan in 2005. In 2010, he became the first 100 percent disabled airman to re-enlist in the Air Force. He competed for the United States on the Special Operations Command team at the London Games in 2014.
The Orlando Games will give our wounded, ill and injured men and women the opportunity to demonstrate to the world this undefeatable drive to overcome. This driving spirit is the embodiment of everything the Invictus Games stand for: these heroes have been tested, but they are not defeated. They are an overwhelming inspiration of all of us that we can overcome our own obstacles and live fearlessly with an Invictus spirit. Together, we can be the masters of our fate; the captains of our souls.
To learn more about the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, visit: www.invictusgames2016.org
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About the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 (Military Adaptive Sports, Inc.)
Military Adaptive Sports, Inc. (MASI), is a non-profit organization created for the purpose of honoring and supporting Service members and their families on an international stage by hosting the Invictus Games in the United States in 2016.
MASI will:
- Ensure the Invictus Games harnesses the power of sport to inspire recovery, rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their countries and their families.
- Provide a vehicle for wounded, ill, and injured Service members – both active duty and veteran – to continue achieving their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual goals.
- Showcase the unconquerable spirit of the world’s wounded, ill, and injured Service members on an international platform to inspire others to be: Invictus.
About the Invictus Games
The Invictus Games were created by Prince Harry after a 2013 visit to the US-based Warrior Games – a sporting competition for wounded, ill, and injured Service members – where he witnessed the important role sports played in improving the lives of service members and their families.
“Invictus” means “unconquered” and embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded, ill, and injured Service members and the incredible will they have in order to overcome.
About Jaguar Land Rover
- The United States is one of the leading global markets for both Jaguar and Land Rover
- Jaguar Land Rover employs 32,000 people and sells vehicles in 170 countries around the world
- Jaguar Land Rover has two state of the art engineering and design facilities and four advanced manufacturing plants in the UK
- Headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey in the United States, Jaguar Land Rover, North America, LLC has offices across the USA
- Jaguar Land Rover is represented by more than 330 independently operated retail outlets in the USA
CONTACTS:
Leah Watkins-Hall
Jaguar Land Rover
Tel:201.232.3107
Watkins-Hall, Leah
Dan Ronayne
Tel: 202-288-1048
media@invictusgames2016.org
