Meet the Manitobans heading to the Invictus Games

Alexandra Holyk introduces you to the athletes representing Manitoba on the world stage.

From the front lines to the finish line, hundreds of veterans and service members from around the world are gearing up for the Invictus Games.

The biennial international sporting competition kicks off in Vancouver and Whistler on Saturday and runs until Feb. 16. According to organizers, this year is the biggest yet; with more than 500 athletes competing in nearly a dozen events.

For the first time, participants will have the chance to compete in six winter sports, including Nordic skiing, skeleton, and biathlon.

Team Canada co-captain and former infanteer Kiernan Underwood is competing in three events, but the one he’s looking forward to the most is wheelchair rugby.

“To me, wheelchair rugby is not that different from being in the infantry,” Underwood noted. “You’re trying to work together to accomplish a common goal.”

Underwood currently serves as a material technician at CFB Winnipeg, but had a stint in Edmonton and Afghanistan during his military career.

“With regards to Team Canada, you have an entire team full of people who have trauma and overcome challenges working together, have been told that they’d never run again, for example. And here they are showing that they can,” he said.

The Invictus Games were created by Prince Harry in 2014 and aim to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and help those who served reclaim their purpose – something that’s often lost when members step away from service.

“Like you don’t know where you belong,” Team Canada athlete Kate Shields said. “This experience with the team and this entire organization, this Invictus opportunity, I find has brought a new sense of family.”

Shields currently serves in the army as a registered nurse. She said she hopes to inspire her family as they cheer her on in the stands.

“Just to show my kids that you can do it, even if something … has gotten in the way, you can overcome and you can still be successful.”

Shields and Underwood, along with Guillaume Durand and Bradley Lebel will represent Manitoba in B.C. at the games from Feb. 8 to 16.