The Invictus Games are almost here. From February 8th to 16th, 2025, the Games will take place in Vancouver and Whistler, home to Canada’s largest ski resort.
The seventh Invictus Games promise to be one of the most action packed games yet, bringing together up to 550 competitors from up to 25 nations. Featured sports include Swimming, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball and Indoor Rowing.
For the first time, winter sports will be part of the Invictus Games, hosted at Canada’s world-class ski resort in Whistler Blackcomb. Wintersports will include the Skeleton, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, the Biathlon and Nordic skiing.
The power of the Invictus Games
What makes the Invictus Games different?
The Invictus Games differs from the Paralympics in a variety of ways. Firstly, the Games are specifically for injured, wounded and sick servicemen and women, who are either currently serving or a veteran.
Secondly, the Invictus Games are focused on using sport as a method of rehabilitation and recovery for servicemen and women.
The Games prides itself on using the terms ‘competitors’ instead of the term ‘athletes’ and ‘categories’ rather than ‘classifications’.
In addition, Invictus Games competitors are eligible to participate regardless of their impairment, which otherwise can exclude competitors from some types of para-sport baked on their impairment.
Meet some of 2025's Invictus Games' Competitors
Mac McLaren, World's Strongest Disabled Man
Former Royal Highland Fusilier Mac McLaren will be competing at this year’s Invictus Games in wheelchair rugby.
While serving in Iraq, Mac suffered a twisted leg injury which led to him having prolonged immense pain complications following injuries while serving in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Iraq. To help relieve some of the pain, the decision was made to amputate his leg.
After his amputation, Mac took up weightlifting in 2020, but began competing in Strongest Disabled Man competitions, almost immediately. He went on to be crowned World’s Strongest Disabled Man in Iceland in 2021, and has gone on to retain his World’s Strongest Disabled Man title three times.
Mac McLaren taking part in the World's Strongest Disabled Man competition
Strongman gives my mind something else to think about. It keeps the demons away and keeps me challenged. There are tactics involved in how you lift as well as what you lift – there’s always another challenge, so I’m constantly having to get better.
Mac Mclaren
Blesma has supported Mac’s Herculean efforts and has provided him with home adaptations.
“My partner Clare has been my rock throughout, and we appreciate everything that Blesma has done for us. We did a car boot sale that raised £150 for the Association because we wanted to do what we could to help.”
We want to thank Mac for supporting Blesma and we wish him the best of luck at the Invictus Games.
Andy Allen
Former Royal Irish Regiment Soldier Andy Allen has been selected to represent the UK at this year’s Invictus Games. He will be competing in the Indoor Rowing category.
While on foot patrol in Afghanistan, Andy was severely injured by an IED, detonated by the Taliban. The explosion took his right leg off and badly damaged his left leg too. Ten days after returning back to the UK for treatment, the decision was made to amputate Andy's left leg.
Andy will be competing at the 2025 Invictus Games
When I woke up in Selly Oak Hospital a lot of emotions were going through my head. I think the main one was fear because I couldn’t see anything. The blast had burned my face and eyes, which resulted in me losing my sight. I knew I had lost my legs immediately. I couldn’t see they had gone, but I could feel it.
Andy Allen
In an effort to restore Andy's vision, he's had several operations on his eye. His vision was restored to about about 30-40% in his right eye. Andy describes his vision as a "blurred, underwater view of the world".
Not only is Andy a phenomenal athlete, he is passionate about making sure people with disabilities have the opportunity to fully participate in society, addressing Northern Ireland’s lack of social housing, and all aspects of veterans’ lives. He was awarded an awarded an MBE in 2019 for services to veterans and families in Northern Ireland.
We also want to thank Andy for supporting Blesma and we wish him the best of luck at the Invictus Games.
Both Mac and Andy are Members of Blesma. Our mission is to assist limbless veterans lead independent and fulfilling lives, offering financial and emotional support to them and their families.
Invictus Games News
Wali Noori is an Afghan national who worked as an interpreter and cultural adviser for the British Army during the war in Afghanistan. He was blinded by an IED blast in 2009 and was relocated to the UK in 2016. He became a Blesma Member in 2022 and represented the UK at the Invictus Games, where he went on to win four gold medals.
Wali exclaimed: "I waited for five years to get selected for the Invictus Games. I was so proud to get there, and when I did, I knew I had to do everything to win. I got four gold medals – in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 1500m. I wanted to show I could do something for the UK in sport just as I did in the military, but it was not easy."
Strongman Mac McLaren has been through an incredible transition, ditching his 6,000-calorie daily intake and shedding three stones to make the UK wheelchair rugby team for the 2025 Invictus Games.
The former soldier, who won the World’s Strongest Disabled Man for three years running, needed a drastic transformation to build up his athletic capacity and stamina to compete in the high octane team sport of wheelchair rugby.
“It was some change as I would eat six meals a day for strongman events which need explosive power while wheelchair rugby is non-stop and all about aerobic capacity, stamina and endurance,” says Mac.
