Invictus Games

Sport has always been a major part of Dariusz Cegielka's life. As child it was his "passion" and trained to be a professional decathlete while in high school.

Sadly, an injury stopped those professional dreams from coming true but sport continued to be a large part of his life.

Dariusz's life changed after sustaining a serious injury to his left leg on deployment to Afghanistan.

"It was the worst time of my life. My plans and dreams collapsed and my world was broken into pieces.’’

Dariusz found himself in a dark place, he struggled with alcohol and getting outside to be active.

However, one day he found the courage to see that his life needed to change and began his rehabilitation.

He rediscovered his passion for sport and the biggest breakthrough came when he met his girlfriend Paulina, who supported his journey to the Invictus Games The Hague 2020.

Dariusz enjoys sitting volleyball, swimming, football, jogging and cycling and is now a part of the Polish Para Volleyball Team that is looking to compete at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Team Ukraine

Yulia (Taira) Paievska

Taira is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Yulia (Taira) Paievska, is a Ukrainian solider, paramedic and founder of the volunteer ambulance corps, ‘Tiara’s Angels.’ The injuries she sustained during her tour of duty meant both of her hips had to be replaced with titanium endoprostheses, and she was left to cope with partial disability.

Taira, the only woman on the Ukrainian team, was due to compete in archery and swimming at the Invictus Games The Hague in 2022. However, her capture by Russian soldiers meant she was unable to take part. Anna-Sofia Puzanova, her 19-year-old daughter, entered in her place and was awarded a bronze medal in archery.

Taira was released from captivity in June 2022 and since then has become an international symbol of bravery and sacrifice and finally competed at the Invictus Games at Düsseldorf 2023.

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Germany

Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023

The city of Düsseldorf was transformed into 'A Home For Respect', when it welcomed the Invictus community to Germany for the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.

Düsseldorf hosted 550 competitors and their friends and family from 21 nations from the 9-16 September 2023. The sixth Invictus Games hosted medal competitions in 10 sports and featured the Invictus Games debut of Table Tennis. Düsseldorf 2023 made history as it was the first Invictus Games to feature participating nations from South America and Africa with the respective debuts of Colombia and Nigeria.

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Team UK

Vicki Ross

Vicki is is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Former Warrant Officer, Victoria (Vicki) Ross, won gold in indoor rowing at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020. She also competed as part of Team UK’s Wheelchair Rugby team, securing silver after being narrowly beaten by the USA.

Vicki experienced a number of injuries during her time in the Army, including nerve damage, shoulder impingement and knee surgery, all of which left her with acute anxiety. Feeling physically, mentally and emotionally challenged, her journey to the Invictus Games gave her a new focus. It allowed her to explore her potential within an unfamiliar environment and ultimately rediscover the person she once was.

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Team UK

Tom Folwell

Tom Folwell is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Former sapper in the army, Tom Folwell competed at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, captaining Team UK’s wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball squads, as well as competing in sitting volleyball.

Tom served in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2015, losing both his legs in a bomb blast whilst on foot patrol in Helmand Province. Standing on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) left Tom with life-changing injuries and brought his career to an end. The situation worsened as medics, headed for Birmingham, had to stop off in Cyprus so that they could tend to a blood clot that Tom had subsequently developed.

Since then, Tom’s recovery has also involved battling with sleep apnoea which developed as a result of the injury. This had a serious impact on his wellbeing but gave rise to his renewed appreciation for sport, in particular an interest in Wheelchair Rugby.

Beyond the Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Foundation also offers opportunities for recovery through sport and adventurous challenge, facilitated by the platform We Are Invictus. Not only has Tom competed in the Invictus Games but he has also taken part in virtual activities such as the Powered by Invictus Sitting Volleyball leagues. These opportunities helped to reinvigorate him, reminding him of how important it is to keep learning and improving.

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Team USA

Gabriel 'Gabe' George

Gabriel (Gabe) George is one of the contributors to the Heart of Invictus documentary series, launched online August 30th.

Gabe, also known as ‘the One-Armed Archer’, joined the U.S Navy in 2004 having trained as a corpsman. He spent two years on ship and served behind the wire at Guantanamo Bay.

In April 2008, he was hit by a driver whilst riding his motorbike. After spending three weeks in a coma, Gabe was left with a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage and a paralysed right arm, which required amputation. After the accident, Gabe realised he could still engage in sports, including archery. He learned how to use a device which allowed him to fire a bow by pulling the string with his teeth and went on to compete at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 as part of the Team US archery, swimming and indoor rowing teams.

Despite his numerous serious injuries, Gabe maintains a positive outlook on life and is involved with various organisations, focused on helping other wounded veterans.

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Dariusz Cegielka

I’m glad that my family has the opportunity to take part with me in the Invictus Games and feel this unique atmosphere. It’s wonderful that I will share such kind of experience with them