ORLANDO, Fla.—Britain’s Prince Harry and first lady Michelle Obama helped kick off the Invictus Games for wounded veterans with uplifting speeches Sunday night, joining other figures from the worlds of sports, entertainment and politics in a glittery opening ceremony.
The two-hour event in Orlando, Florida, included performances by British singer James Blunt and soprano Laura Wright. Actor Morgan Freeman and former president George W. Bush — honorary chairman of this year’s games — sat in the audience for the ceremonial start of the games at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Champion Stadium.
Nearly 500 athletes from 14 different countries are competing in the Paralympic-style sports competition over a four-day period beginning Monday.
The Invictus Games are the creation of Prince Harry, who got the inspiration to help wounded and sick military personnel and their families after his two tours of duty in Afghanistan. The initial Invictus Games were held last year in London.
