Paralympic Champion Associates the Invictus Games to Nelson Mandela’s Passion for Sport in Changing Lives
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, one of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes is in Florida attending the Invictus Games Orlando 2016. Decorated with 11 golds, 4 silvers and a bronze medal across five Paralympic Games, she is inspired to be onsite for the Games as well as by other leaders she feels would be proud of the mission.
She offered her thoughts on the connection of the Games to the great South African leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Nelson Mandela. Having moved the world through his long fight for human rights and ending apartheid racial segregation, she believes “he would enjoy and support the Invictus Games.”
Baroness Grey-Thompson sees the Invictus Games as an expression of Nelson Mandela’s passion for sport and its ability to change society and people’s lives.
“Nelson Mandela said that sport has the power to change the world,” she said, “and I similarly believe sport can change lives through events like the Invictus Games.”
While imprisoned on Robben Island, Mandela had a copy of the poem ‘Invictus,’ which is Latin for unconquered – which inspired the naming of the Invictus Games.
Baroness Grey-Thompson said that the Invictus Games provided an opportunity for the public to recognize the achievements of those injured in war.
She shared that English neurosurgeon Sir Ludwig Gutmann, who pioneered the Paralympic Games, also shares the view that sport and physical activity is critical in the rehabilitation of soldiers returning home with war injuries.
She said the atmosphere inside the event venues is exciting and engaging, and was impressed by how rapidly the Invictus Games had progressed since launched in London in 2014.
“It’s amazing how much interest and attention the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 has since generated.”
