Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
On the sidelines of the meeting of NATO Chiefs of Defense Staff, NATO Headquarters in Brussels hosted members of the Belgian and Dutch Invictus teams for a friendly volleyball match. This was part of an initiative to help build awareness for the Invictus Games Foundation, which promotes the use of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate broader understanding and respect for wounded and sick military men and women.
Dutch and Belgian Team Invictus members have been invited to NATO headquarters to share their stories, struggles and hopes. Edion de Wolf, Director of the Dutch Team, took the opportunity to explain the purpose, the goal but above all, the spirit behind the Invictus Games and introduce it to the audience.
NATO chiefs of staff and military representatives of allied countries. “Service spouses, families and friends are core members of the Invictus family,” said Edwin DeWolf. “While the Foundation helps service members recover and rehabilitate after a serious injury, families are also critical parts of the process. Their unconditional love and support helps veterans,” Mr. DeWolf emphasized. to come to terms with what happened and ultimately help them overcome it.
Invictus was founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, "British" and this annual inter-service adaptive athletic competition showcases the resilient spirit of wounded, sick and injured service members and today embodies what these stubborn men and women can achieve after injury. The Invictus Games Foundation promotes the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a broader understanding of the physical and mental harm of the military profession.
  After overcoming severe injuries and medical conditions, participating service members serve as role models for other survivors around the world.

After a short warm-up session, both teams took to the field to participate in a friendly Sitting Volleyball match and show off their dexterity, agility and competitive spirit. The Vice Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Lieutenant General Lance Landrum, delivered a speech to welcome the veterans of both teams, praising them for their “prestige to overcome obstacles, to recover from them, and to propel them through obstacles. This sends a powerful message: injury or serious illness does not interrupt the pursuit of a meaningful and productive life.” ".

The next Invictus Games will be held from September 9-16, 2023 in Dusseldorf, Germany. The city, with the support of the German Armed Forces, will welcome about 500 competitors from more than 20 countries as well as about 1,000 family members and friends to compete in ten games.