Thank you for representing Poland so beautifully at the Invictus Games competition in Canada. After your military service you proceed to service the Republic," said president Andrzej Duda during a gathering with IG players. A period and a half ago, they competed sportingly with colleagues from 23 countries during the Vancouver-Whistler Games.
Meeting of president Andrzej Duda Invictus Games playerswho participated in Vancouver-Whistler Games, was an chance to many thanks and congratulations, as well as talks in the Kuluaras. Veterans, together with the head of the armed forces, besides watched a movie about the sporting struggles of our squad in Canada. During the ceremony, the president was accompanied by Deputy Head of the National safety Bureau Mirosław Wiklik and General Dyw. in St. Andrzej Reudowicz, advisor to the Head of BBN.
Team strength
Polish players from this year's Invictus Games games brought six medals. St. chor. in st. remainder Rafał Korzeniewski won silver in cross-country skiing and silver and bronze in hall rowing. After the gold medal in downhill skiing, Lieutenant-Rez. Sebastian Starostka reached out. The bronze discs in the skeleton were captured by Captain Piotr Maletka and Lieutenant-Rez. Sebastian Starostka. – You have won six medals for 19 players, but the average per person, that is, 1 medal per 3 players – summarized this medal statistic by Andrzej Duda. The president congratulated the players on their successful start in the competition and thanked them for representing our country well. He besides admitted that he was somewhat jealous of their ski runs in Whistler, which are among the best in the world. “Unfortunately, I failed to arrange a fewer days to fly to Whistler,” he said.
On behalf of the IG players, the vote was taken by the triple medalist of the competition in Vancouver-Whistler st. chor. in the remainder of the year Rafał Korzenewski. – I am arrogant that in Canada we faced the hardest fight – with ourselves. We gave 120 percent. A 100 percent came from us, and 20 from our families, as well as the trainers who believed in us, and the training staff, who tried to make us feel good in Canada, said the veteran. “The success achieved is due to the full team,” he added.
The strength of the team, which was shown by IG players, was besides discussed by Colonel Katarzyna Rałędowska, manager of the Centre for Veteran Activities outside the State Borders. She mentioned our fans, who, she said, deserve a large circular of applause. “The organizers congratulated us with the best fans in the world,” said the officer. Although the Polish representation did not belong to the most numerous, it was powerfully supported by loud cheering of its fans. Among them, Rafał Koziewski's ex-wife, who was asked at the end of the Invictus Games competition by 1 of the journalists about what the games changed in her family, replied: "My husband yet returned from his mission home".
– Veterans approach their tasks with a heart – regardless of whether it is sports arenas or missions outside the country – said Colonel Nałdowska.
sponsor support
Before visiting the Presidential Palace, our representation of Invictus Games met with the CEO of PGZ SA Krzysztof Trofiniak. The Polish Armoured Group has supported Polish veterans who compete in invincible competitions for respective years. For this support and allowing the families to leave for Canada, he thanked Captain Piotr Maletka on behalf of the contestants.
– We are arrogant of our warriors. Competing in Canada, they showed that it was not easy to beat them, and sports and goals were taken very seriously. The thought behind Invictus Games is not only about medals and sports competition. The main value is the integration of the veterans' environment and showing the planet that veterans are not only among us, but are inactive needed," said Krzysztof Trofiniak.
PGZ supports veterans from their first start at Invictus Games 2018 in Sydney. Both the PGZ SA and the Foundation of the Polish Armed Forces Group in cooperation with the Veteran Centre for Activities outside the State Borders and the Association of Wounded and Damaged in Missions outside the Country Borders implements many projects, the beneficiaries of which are veterans and their families. Polish representation in the Invictus Games competition was besides possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of National Defence. The media patron of the Games was “Army Poland”.
Another edition of the IG competition will be held in 2027 in Birmingham, UK.
