And ...it's a wrap

Saturday, final day and with only archery finals taking place there was no need for us all to be there until later.

So a leisurely morning was planned except I woke at 5am and didn't get back to sleep. Long day looming then.

Got to the arena just as the official group photo was being taken but I have no idea whether I'm in it or not as it's so difficult to see people. (Found me, I'm at the end of the yellow arrow)

Wandered to the media centre but not many people around, though did manage to get checked in, hurrah. A couple of people were after getting the free invictus tattoos on offer, but the queues were so long many gave up waiting. Not something I considered, though a temporary one could have been fun. 

Our brief for this evening's closing ceremony was to "just have fun" and we were offered seats to watch the show, from high up on the stands. Offering to monitor the media area meant standing lower down with a better view and once the show started was able to sit in one of the media seats. 

I did have friends on the stage and the floor with the athletes, but was a great view of it all from where I was, including the teams gathering in the centre court area ready to come on stage to take their bow and applause.

We were entertained by Sam Ryder, Tiktokker and our Eurovision entry from 2022 where Ukraine won. His song Mountain, being chosen by the UK team as their entry music. 

Rita Ora closed the show out with a fabulously uplifting set, but the biggest cheers of the evening, as throughout, went to the Ukraine team. Taira being the best known from the programme Invictus featured recently, taken prisoner and held for 12 weeks, thankfully released and able to compete this year. Last year, her daughter competed for her; so inspirational.

The usual closing speeches, inspirational stories that had us, and Prince Harry in tears, as he was recounting to us. There have been so many inspirational tales of overcoming physical and mental health issues. For many being able to be with people who understand them, and for them to compete and belong, once again, to a "team", means everything.

We wrapped with a volunteer thank you party, though weren't able to stay until the 1am finish. 

Managed to say goodbye to loads of the volunteer friends I've met over the years at different games that I know I will see in the future. This is simply aufwiedersehen.

The next Invictus event will be in Canada in February 2025, Vancouver and Whistler, as they are going to incorporate some winter sports into the schedule. 

Bring it on

In the mean time, thank you Dusseldorf, Thank-you to my Cousin for putting me up and sharing the Invictus journey. 

Until the next event.... I'm now heading home.