Prince Harry pitches in as wounded troops compete to represent Britain at games

 
Selection process: Harry with Jonathan Le Galloudec (Picture: Glenn Copus)

Wounded servicemen and women were today competing in front of Prince Harry for the chance to represent Britain at his “Olympics” for injured military personnel.

Harry, 29, was visiting a Help for Heroes rehabilitation centre as the trials began to select the 100 members of the British Armed Forces team that will compete at the Invictus Games.

They are being held in the Olympic Park and at the Lea Valley Athletics Centre from September 10 to 14 and were inspired by Harry’s visit to the Warrior Games in the US.

Harry, who has served two tours in Afghanistan, met about 25 people at Tedworth House in Wiltshire hoping to compete in the wheelchair rugby, cycling and indoor rowing events.

He said: “These men and women are fighters by nature.

“The intense physical training and competitive spirit that will be forged inside this team as they prepare to represent their country in the Invictus Games will, I hope, go some way to helping the recovery not only of those who hope to be selected here today, but also inspire others along the way.”

Marine Don Maclean, who stood on an IED whilst on patrol in Afghanistan, has put his name forward for the wheelchair basketball and cycling.

He said cycling had been “a massive part of my rehab”, adding: “As I will be leaving the Royal Marines in July, the chance to be selected for the Games would be a highpoint in my recovery.”

Another contender, Jonathan “Frenchie” Le Galloudec, was shot in the spine in Iraq in 2007.

He spent three months at Stoke Mandeville and 18 months at the Headley Court military hospital learning to walk again. He won two bronze medals at the Warrior Games, and today told Harry how sport had helped his rehabilitation.

Further selection events will take place across the UK.

Sir Keith Mills, chairman of the Invictus Games, which will see more than 300 participants from 13 nations compete, said: “The countdown to the Invictus Games has truly begun.

“Now is the time for the public to really get behind these Games and show their support for those who will be the real stars — the competitors.”

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