Many service men and women return from combat with life-changing injuries (visible or invisible). Sport is used as a way to help rehabilitate and empower service people who were injured in the line of duty.
Canada’s Valour Games focus on “awareness of the challenges faced everyday by Canada’s ill and injured service members and veterans, putting a spotlight on the vital role that military families play and the burdens they endure, address mental illness and post-traumatic stress injury, provides an opportunity for Canadians to express their gratitude to the brave men and women who have given their service to our country, and empower and rehabilitate for Canada’s wounded service members.”
The USA has a similar program called the Warrior Games, which were established in 2010 as a way to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors and to expose them to adaptive sports.
The Invictus Games is the international edition of these games. First held in 2014, it has become a regular event to help the rehabilitation of service members from around the world. The Government of Canada does provide support to send athletes to the games, but I believe that this can be greatly increased.
Sport has a huge power to help people rebuild and recover. It helps give a new purpose to lives while also helping people recover from injuries they received while in combat. By supporting these games we are supporting the people that bravely fought for our countries. Supporting their recovery through sport is an amazing way that sport can give back and have a social impact.