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Official logo of the 2029 Invictus Games. / Courtesy of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

Daejeon, South Korea, was officially confirmed on July 20 as the host city for the 2029 Invictus Games, an international adaptive sports event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that the UK-based Invictus Games Foundation board of trustees unanimously voted to select Daejeon.

Regarding the decision, the Foundation stated, "We highly evaluated South Korea's level of preparation, from the on-site inspection in February and the bid submission in May to the presentation in London in June." It added, "In particular, we positively assessed that the central government, local government, and the wounded veteran community systematically drove preparations based on a close cooperative framework under the shared goal of 'recovery and rehabilitation.'"

The Foundation explained, "Building on South Korea's cultural reach and its symbolic significance as the first host nation in Asia, we expect this event to propel a new leap forward for the Invictus Games and drive broader participation across Asia."

Founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the Invictus Games aim to foster the physical, psychological, and social recovery and rehabilitation of wounded service members through sports. It has evolved into an international platform of solidarity where people worldwide cheer for and empathize with veterans' rehabilitation and self-reliance. Placing paramount value on recovery and taking on new life challenges over medals or wins, the games carry profound meaning by inspiring hope and courage in competitors' families as well.

Since its inaugural 2014 event in London, UK, the games were held in Orlando, US (2016), Toronto, Canada (2017), Sydney, Australia (2018), The Hague, Netherlands (2020), Düsseldorf, Germany (2023), and Vancouver-Whistler, Canada (2025), with the 2027 edition scheduled for Birmingham, UK. South Korean teams have participated since the 2020 Hague Games.

The Ministry expressed its intent to host the 2029 games during the 2023 Düsseldorf event. Last December, Daejeon, San Diego (US), and Aalborg (Denmark) were shortlisted as the final three candidate cities to compete for the bid.

The 2029 Daejeon Games are expected to gather around 3,000 participants, including over 550 wounded veteran athletes and 1,100 family members from 26 nations, alongside delegation officials. Notably, 12 participating nations are Korean War veterans, adding special significance ahead of the war's 80th anniversary.

Following the host city confirmation, the Ministry and Daejeon Metropolitan City plan to leverage close inter-agency cooperation to swiftly launch an organizing committee and establish institutional support, including special legislation.

Kwon Oh-eul, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, said, "Winning the bid for the Invictus Games in Daejeon is a historic and meaningful triumph, as it marks the first time in Asia that a stage honoring the unconquerable heroic spirit of wounded veterans worldwide will take place on our soil." He added, "The government will work closely with Daejeon City and the Wounded Warriors Association to prepare the best event yet, ensuring a platform for rehabilitation, recovery, solidarity, and harmony for global veterans."

Daejeon Mayor Her Tae-jeong remarked, "The Invictus Games is not a one-off event, but a platform enabling wounded veterans to overcome physical limitations and embrace new life challenges through sports," adding, "We will do our utmost to spread a culture of respect and gratitude toward wounded veterans across South Korea, starting from Daejeon."

Yoo Eul-sang, President of the Wounded Warriors Association, stated, "Hosting these games brings tremendous pride and hope to all wounded veterans. We hope this occasion inspires more wounded service members to embrace new challenges through sports, while encouraging the public to deeply appreciate their sacrifices and join in supporting their recovery and reintegration into society."

The Ministry, Daejeon City, and the Wounded Warriors Association will hold a joint briefing on the Invictus Games bid at Daejeon City Hall on the afternoon of July 21.

The 2029 Invictus Games are scheduled to take place around the Daejeon Convention Center from October 6 to 15, 2029. Funding will be secured through the host city organizing committee budget (national and local government funds) along with corporate sponsorships. Mandatory sporting events include powerlifting, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, swimming, athletics, archery, and cycling, with two to three optional sports, such as esports, to be added.

                                                                                                            Lee Han-sol