Swimming Showcases The Best of the Invictus Spirit at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025

Day 7 of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 presented by ATCO and Boeing was an emotional rollercoaster as competitors took to the water at the UBC Aquatic Centre. Every race was a battle—not just against the clock, but against personal barriers, pain, and the doubts that once seemed insurmountable.

The pool was alive with energy, the crowd roaring as competitors fought for every stroke. Some surged ahead, setting new personal bests, while others touched the wall and simply let the moment sink in—victorious in ways that can’t be measured by time. From exhausted embraces at the finish to deafening cheers from teammates on the deck, this was sport at its purest: raw, emotional, and transformative.

Key Moments & Competitor Highlights:

Lieutenant Commander Dave Miln (Team Australia)
A fighter in every sense, Dave’s journey to the Invictus Games has been one of resilience and adaptation. After losing both legs in a tragic accident in 2022, he threw himself into adaptive sport. Today, as he raced through the water, he wasn’t just swimming—he was proving that no setback is too great to overcome.

Squadron Leader Samantha May (Team United Kingdom)
A devastating leg injury could have ended Samantha’s active lifestyle—but she refused to let it. Turning to adaptive sports, she found new purpose and strength. Today, competing across multiple disciplines, she showcased her incredible determination, leaving everything she had in the pool. But Samantha’s race didn’t end at the finish—her first instinct was to turn and find her teammate Angela Holland, cheering her on with the same fire she had just raced with. A true demonstration of camaraderie, her support for her fellow competitors was as relentless as her own pursuit of excellence.

Sohail Naseri (Team Afghanistan)
After spending over a decade relearning to walk following a severe injury, just being in the pool today was a victory for Sohail. Every stroke was a testament to perseverance, and the crowd knew it—his race finished to an eruption of cheers that echoed throughout the venue.

Maresciallo Capo Massimiliano Riccio (Team Italy)
Representing Italy with pride, Massimiliano approached his races with a fighter’s mentality. Every stroke was packed with determination, proving that discipline and dedication can carry you through even the toughest challenges. He embodied the spirit of perseverance, tackling adversity head-on and tearing through the water with unstoppable resolve. A true testament to the power of grit, his performance was as relentless as his journey to the Games.

Ihor Oliinyk (Team Ukraine)
A true embodiment of adaptability, Ihor had already made his mark in snowboarding earlier in the Games, despite being a complete beginner to the sport. His transition to the pool today reinforced his fearless approach to competition and recovery. Ihor won several medals, but none shone brighter than his face when he stood on the podium alongside his fellow competitors—his joy, pride, and gratitude radiating through the arena. A moment of pure triumph, shared with those who understand the journey it took to get there.

Mike Murphy (Team United States)
Visually impaired but never defeated, Mike’s presence in the pool was a masterclass in pushing limits. His journey from a devastating accident to the world stage of adaptive sports is proof that the human spirit is unbreakable. Competing across multiple events, Mike showcased unwavering determination, earning several podium finishes along the way. But beyond the medals, his true victory was in the way he uplifted those around him—offering encouragement, celebrating every competitor’s achievement, and embodying the Invictus spirit with every stroke. His resilience, both in and out of the pool, was a shining example of what it means to be Unconquered.

Team Nigeria – Relay Team
The scoreboard may have read DNF, but for Team Nigeria, today was a victory in every way that truly matters. Taking on the relay with heart, determination, and an unbreakable team spirit, they embodied the Invictus ethos from start to finish. Though they didn’t complete the race, they never stopped lifting each other up—encouraging every stroke, pushing forward together, and celebrating the journey as much as the result. As they climbed out of the pool to a roaring ovation, their smiles said it all: this was never just about finishing first—it was about showing up, giving everything, and proving that no challenge is too great to face together. A true display of what it means to be Unconquered.

Looking Ahead:
Tomorrow, the competition shifts back to the Vancouver Convention Centre for the Sitting Volleyball tournament where teamwork, grit, and resilience will take center stage.