Parade held for injured veterans ahead of 2016 Invictus Games

More than 500 wounded, injured veterans from 14 countries trained for games

ORLANDO, Fla. – A parade kicked off the 2016 Invictus Games as confetti showered the athletes being honored during a hero salute.

"We see them when their lives are turned upside down and now we see the frowns turn into smiles," said Ken Fisher, CEO of Invictus Games.

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More than 500 wounded and injured veterans from 14 countries trained for the last 15 months to compete in everything from swimming to sitting basketball.

"Training has been grueling and rigorous. We've had coaches pushing us every step of the way, giving us pointers and driving us to as near as perfection as they can get us to," said Sgt. Yancy Taylor, co-captain of Team USA.

Fellow athletes and ambassadors said the Invictus Games was more than just a competition.

"It really hit home, not because they're veterans or anything, just because they're athletes," said Shawn Johnson, U.S. Olympian and Invictus Games Ambassador.

"There's other countries that have gone through the same thing and we need to come together to combine our experiences, get together and support each other and continue to thrive as a world and a nation," said Sgt. Gabby Graves-Wake.

This is the second running of the Invictus Games, after Prince Harry launched the competition in London back in 2014. Some said the U.S. will give England a run for their money.

"This is our house, so you better bring it because we already brought it," Fisher said.

Tickets are still available.


About the Author:

Loren Korn is a native Texan who joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2014. She was born and raised in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Journalism.