When on January 15^th 2020, the Invictus Games Foundation officially declared Germany as the venue for the Invictus Games 2022, it was a day of celebration. Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer appeared before the press at the German Embassy London.

She said, “This is a unique moment. The Invictus Games are much more than a sporting competition. It is not about competing, but about the power of rehabilitation for the individual, generated by the togetherness of athletes, their families and friends and the public! The public perception of the achievements of our servicemen and women is particularly important to me. This is even more true for the wounded and injured who have made a great sacrifice for the security of our country.”

The Federal Ministry of Defence had applied on behalf of Germany with the City of Düsseldorf in September 2019 to host the 2022 Games in Germany. Due to the Corona pandemic, the Invictus Games Düsseldorf had to be postponed by one year. They will now take place in the autumn of 2023.

The Invictus Games Foundation, founded in 2014 by Harry, Duke of Sussex, aims to provide a broad understanding and greater respect for those serving their country by hosting an international athletic competition for wounded, injured and ill active duty servicemen and women, as well as veterans. Since then, the Invictus Games have been held four times with increasing success and public awareness. 2018 in Sydney, with over 500 participants from 18 nations, competing in 12 sports, and with over 100,000 spectators – including heads of state, government officials, and other high-level representatives from participating nations. The fifth Invictus Games will be held in The Hague from April 16^th – 22^nd 2022. In 2023, the Games will come to Düsseldorf.