Celebrating 10 years of offering recovery pathways for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women through sport, the Invictus Games are headed to Canada in 2025 for the first-ever winter edition. Co-hosted by the Four Host First Nations—Liĺwat7úl (Líĺwat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)—the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 take place February 8-16. The winning bid, filed on behalf of True Patriot Love (TPL)—Canada’s national foundation for veterans—leveraged Vancouver and Whistler’s Olympic Games hosting experience as well as the region’s ideal setting, says Robyn McVicker, chief operating officer and deputy CEO of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. “We’re building on the incredible foundation of previous sport in Canada and specifically in Vancouver and Whistler, known for adaptive skiing, snowboarding, Nordic biathlon and skeleton, and for being accessible—[with] the legacy of the 2010 Olympic Paralympic Games— so we’re pretty thrilled,” says McVicker. “Invictus is a time for these veterans to be supported and honoured, and for them to delve into sport as part of their recovery journey and their healing. It’s not as much focused on the elite competition as it is on good competition—most athletes compete in two or three events, which engages them throughout the 11 days of competition.” THE POWER OF MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS 2025 also marks 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada published its Calls to Action, which include five policy recommendations around sport to establish protocols for officials and host countries of international events that ensure Indigenous communities are engaged in planning and participation. ADRENALIN REPORTS INVICTUS GAMES 2025 How the organizing team is building on Vancouver and Whistler’s past Olympic success and solid Indigenous partnerships to reignite that magical spirit in 2025. BY WENDY HELFENBAUM INVICTUS GAMES 2025 BY THE NUMBERS 550 competitors representing more than 20 countries 2,000 volunteers 11 sports: Alpine skiing, snowboarding, indoor rowing, Nordic skiing, biathlon, sitting volleyball, skeleton, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair curling, wheelchair rugby 7 venues, including Whistler Olympic Park, Vancouver’s Hillcrest Centre and the Whistler Sliding Centre “As Musqueam’s elected chief, it is an honour to represent my community and our ancestors who persevered through immense hardship and fought tirelessly to protect Indigenous Peoples’ inherent rights. Musqueam is excited to host Invictus Games 2025 in our territory and to share our culture and history with the world.” —Chief Wayne Sparrow (yəχʷyaχʷələq), Musqueam PHOTOS: INVICTUS GAMES VANCOUVER WHISTLER 2025; PRP PRODUCTIONS; JEFF VINNICK; TIM RICHTER; HENNER FEDDERSEN; DESTINATION VANCOUVER/AVISON PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS COLLACOTT e 21 FALL 2024 | ADRENALIN
