Invictus Games 2025: A New Era for Veterans
In February 2025, history will be made with the inaugural winter Invictus Games. On January 29, veteran Yevhen Kaus was introduced at the Barrier-Free Council, representing Ukraine at the upcoming Vancouver competition.
Yevhen Kaus — a certified coach in adaptive rowing affiliated with the Ukrainian Federation of Marine Multi-Sport in the Odesa region.
During the full-scale war, Yevhen sustained severe injuries, resulting in the loss of both legs. At the Vancouver Games, he will compete in three disciplines: curling, biathlon, and skeleton.
Other members of the Ukrainian team from the Odesa region include:
- Olexiy Vasylyev, soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, veteran, injured in March 2023 during combat in Bakhmut;
- Illia Pylypenko, sailor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, veteran, injured in September 2022 near Bilohirka due to a tank mine explosion;
- Olexiy Prytula, senior soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, veteran, injured in September 2022 near Yampolivka.
The Invictus Games represent the largest international event for wounded veterans and service members who have been injured while fulfilling their duties.
Ukraine's participation in 2025 will mark the fifth time, and these Games in Vancouver-Whistler will be the first-ever hybrid winter event.
Veterans will compete in swimming, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby, as well as new winter sports: alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling.
