The Invictus Games — an Olympic-style competition for more than 400 disabled military athletes — is going to Disney World.
More specifically, to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex aboard the Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida.
Prince Harry announced July 14 that the games will be held next year from May 8-12, a follow-up to the first Invictus Games held in London in 2014 that drew more than 65,000 spectators.
The Orlando locale, Harry said, will be perfect for the "family event" that brings in athletes and supporters from at least 13 countries that supported combat operations in Iraq or Afghanistan.
"I have no doubt … the U.S. will put on a great show — no pressure," Harry quipped in a video released by Kensington Palace and on his website.
The prince founded the Invictus Games after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado, where teams from each U.S. military service as well as a British team vied for points and medals in seven sports.
The Invictus Games, held last September in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and elsewhere, encompassed nine sports: athletics, archery, wheelchair basketball, road cycling, indoor rowing, wheelchair rugby, swimming, sitting volleyball and a driving challenge.
Veterans and wounded warriors remain Harry's top charitable focus following his own decade of military service, which included two deployments to Afghanistan. He routinely participates in events with injured and ill service members and traveled with American, British, Canadian and Australian wounded veterans on an arduous trek to the South Pole in 2013.
"Invictus was an event that captured hearts, challenged minds and changed lives ... the competitors showed grit, determination and humor and absolute refusal to be defined by their injuries," Harry said.
Congratulations poured in as soon as Harry's announcement aired. Tweeting a response within minutes were first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, who together established the Joining Forces initiative to help transitioning service members and their families.
"We are thrilled to welcome the #InvictusGames to Orlando next spring! #JoiningForces," Michelle Obama wrote on Twitter.
"#InvictusGames 2016 are coming to the USA! We're proud to welcome & honor #WoundedWarriors from around the world," Biden tweeted.
Invictus is Latin for unconquerable. Harry said the inspiration for the name — a poem by British poet Earnest William Henley, with the closing lines, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" — demonstrates the spirit of the athletes, their dedication and their triumph.
Participating countries in 2014 included the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Afghanistan.
The U.S. Invictus Games will be chaired by Ken Fisher, known to troops and veterans for his work as CEO of the Fisher House Foundation. The charity group, which builds housing on U.S. bases for the families of personnel and dependents receiving medical treatment at military hospitals, was a sponsor of the 2014 games.
Prince Harry promised more details in the coming months as the warriors ramp up their training and compete for team spots.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Dustin Gabehart competes in road cycling during the 2014 Invictus Games in London.
Photo Credit: Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault/Air Force
"I'm absolutely delighted that the United States has taken up the challenge and will host the next Invictus Games," he said.
Patricia Kime is a senior writer covering military and veterans health care, medicine and personnel issues.
