The 2016 Invictus Games is less than a month away, and organizers have just announced details of the May 8 opening ceremony.
“The Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 will be a spectacular event that reflects that awe-inspiring spirit and courage of the competitors, family, friends and care givers,” said Executive Producer Sara Donaldson. “With breath-taking military performances, stories of courage and musical acts that are unmatched, fans won’t want to miss the epic display that will be put on at the Opening Ceremony and should buy their tickets now before they sell out.”
Musical performances will include British artist Laura Wright and international star James Blunt and other surprise guests. The Ceremony features a number of military performances, including the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, U.S. Army Band, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Dill Team.
“The pageantry of the opening ceremony will begin a week that will give us all the opportunity to pay tribute to service and honor the sacrifice of our injured servicemen and women and their families,” said Ken Fisher, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Invictus Games Orlando 2016. “I hope that every American can join us for the Invictus Games, cheer on these amazing competitors, and show those just starting out on the road to recovery what is possible, despite their injury or illness.”
The Invictus Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women. 10 competitive-style sports are included—archery, cycling, indoor rowing, power lifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis. More than 500 military competitors from 15 countries around the world will compete in the 2016 Games.
Tickets for the week long event at ESPN Wide World of Sports are now available at http://invictusgames2016.org/tickets/.
ESPN will begin its 40+ hours of coverage of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 with the Opening Ceremony from Champion Stadium live on ESPN2 on Sunday, May 8, at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN2 will also provide daily coverage May 9-11 from 7-8 p.m. each day, supplemented by more than 35 hours of live action on ESPN3. The Closing Ceremony will be live on ESPN2 at Champion Stadium on Thursday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m.
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