Invictus Games Foundation Launches Successful Triathlon Pilot, Setting Stage for Future Expansion
Tallin, Estonia. 18th September. The Invictus Games Foundation has launched a series of I AM Clubs within its international community of wounded, injured, and sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans aimed at boosting opportunities for recovery through sport. The first pilot event, aimed at helping members of the We Are Invictus online community progress in their athletic pursuits, featured triathlon and relays with the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events in Tallinn, Estonia, and set the stage for the organisation's future plans to offer more competitive opportunities.
The first test event brought together 12 community members from Estonia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. The event saw a range of participants, including an individual competitor in the full Ironman and three mixed relay ‘Unconquered’ teams in the Ironman 70.3. The pilot demonstrated the positive impact of bringing like-minded participants together in a competitive setting, regardless of their impairments.
The Invictus Games Foundation, which supports international wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans to use sport for recovery, initiated the I AM Clubs to explore new competitive opportunities beyond the Invictus Games, and the Foundation’s existing Invictus Adventure and Invictus Challenges programmes. The triathlon pilot is the first step in this direction, with the next event, Ironman 70.3 in Waco, Texas, scheduled for October 7, 2024. Also coming up, the Invictus Games Foundation are exploring Crossfit events as an alternative pilot.
The pilot highlighted several achievements, including three participants achieving personal bests in their respective triathlon disciplines. The relay team format proved to be particularly inclusive, allowing WIS who may not yet be ready for a full triathlon to focus on one discipline, fostering confidence, team building, and skill-building.
The Pilot’s first test event in Estonia was fantastic, we are so excited for the remainder of the pilots this year. Each event, we are monitoring sleep, diet, stress levels and fatigue amidst their training, and gathering feedback to develop a mature offering of sport for recovery that expands the Foundation’s existing programmes. Whilst doing so, we are excited to be working with partners to ensure greater and better support structures for participants, especially those new to triathlon events, and with particular needs owing to their injuries or illnesses"
Mickaela Richards Grants and Programmes Director, the Invictus Games Foundation
The lessons learned, along with the overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, emphasised the event's supportive atmosphere, camaraderie, and the opportunity to push physical boundaries. Participants appreciated the community support, branded kits, and the opportunity to reconnect with former comrades. The synergy between the Invictus Games Foundation and the Ironman events was also evident, with the inclusion of WIS athletes promoting a positive message of resilience and determination.
The competition gave me a purpose and a big goal to achieve, something I and others can be proud of when it has been a long time since we’ve felt like we’ve achieved something. For me, it has now pushed me to find employment as a bike mechanic and start to train as a Personal trainer for endurance sports looking into triathlon coaching opportunities in the near future."
Kyle Burgess Pilot Participant
With the second pilot event scheduled in Texas, the I AM Clubs aims to build on the lessons learned from Tallinn. The Foundation is conducting a thorough review of the pilot to ensure future events are even more effective in delivering competitive opportunities. As the initiative moves forward, it hopes to attract commercial interest and partnerships, ultimately expanding the scope of high level sports and competition available to WIS worldwide.
By providing structured, competitive environments, the I AM Clubs continue to promote inclusion and celebrate the strength and determination of its members on a global stage.