Beyond the finish line

Abstract: Forces in Mind Trust’s mission is that all ex-Service persons and their families make a successful and sustainable transition to civilian life, a principle closely aligned to Invictus objectives. The publication of this report also marks the Trust’s enduring support for the Invictus vison. Through several iterations of the Invictus Games, interviews with a multitude of participants and families and addressing the unforeseen consequences and impact of the COVID pandemic, this report is significant as the first longitudinal investigation of the benefits of international adapted sport competition for Service Members and Veterans experiencing physical and/or psychological illnesses and injuries. As such, our hope is that it can be of use to Invictus Games and groups such as Help 4 Heroes, Walking With The Wounded and others offering any sort of sports or activities-based rehabilitation and recreation for wounded, injured and sick veterans, and, perhaps as well, those paralympic organisations where the ultimate competitive challenge might be found. The study’s general findings might seem self-evident: long-term competitive adaptive sports are valuable; sports are a good platform for personal growth; strengthening of the entire community of competitors, non-competitors and entourage in both physical and mental health is important. But the findings go further than this. The default view that ‘para-sports’ or adaptive games are only for the physically injured is comprehensively re-addressed and importantly recognises the complexity of participants conditions including their psychological impact. The short and longerterm dividends for improved personal resilience in all its dimensions are also empirically recorded with useful findings of where best practice can be found. The recognition of families and of those who might not compete is also important and recognising the importance of their resilience in the long road toward rehabilitation is a welcome aspect. The positivity of preparing for competition and competing itself is a genuine ‘team effort’ however broadly one defines that ‘team’. As the Invictus Games Foundation looks forward, reflecting upon the experience of Dusseldorf and looking ahead to Vancouver, this independent report can hopefully be seen as a validation of the founding aim of Invictus, to inspire through the power of the unconquered human spirit. But it also should be seen as a comprehensive and objective evaluation of the benefit of sport, with findings upon which to evolve and continually improve the experience for all concerned.