In a salute and tribute to the “unconquered” spirit of wounded warriors from around the world, Experience Kissimmee has signed on to be the official tourism supporter of the Invictus Games 2016. The Prince Harry-inspired Invictus Games will attract about 500 athletes from 15 nations competing at ESPN Wide World of Sports located in Kissimmee, May 8-12.
Originally introduced in London in 2014, the Invictus Games is a showcase for wounded warriors. This year's edition of the competition includes 10 events—swimming, archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis.
As the official tourism supporter, Experience Kissimmee also is the swimming competition sponsor. During nearly five hours of competition on May 11th, the Experience Kissimmee brand will be introduced to both the competitors and a worldwide television audience.
“These wounded warriors are an inspiration, and we're proud to welcome them to our destination,” declared DT Minich, Experience Kissimmee President & CEO. “We're proud to be associated with the Invictus Games—alongside some of the world's most powerful brands—in giving these inspiring athletes a platform to compete and to be applauded for not giving in to their wounds, their injuries or their illnesses.”
For its tourism promotional purposes, the Experience Kissimmee brand will be featured on the swimming competition's touch-pads, the event program and signage throughout the Wide World of Sports Complex, and commercials on ESPN2 and ESPN3. These opportunities, according to Minich, serve to introduce and reinforce to the international military community the vacation, holiday and getaway opportunities in Kissimmee.
Prince Harry, Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman, a star-studded list of celebrities and musical performances by British sensation Laura Wright and international star James Blunt are will help open the games on May 8th.
Musical performances by international popstar Rachel Platten and best-selling country vocal group of the past decade Rascal Flatts are planned for the Closing Ceremony. Prince Harry will help close the games by passing the Invictus Games flag to Toronto where the 2017 games will be staged.
