With just 100 days to go until Prince Harry's Invictus Games kicks off in Sydney, Aussie sports fans are being urged to start snapping up tickets.
Members of the Australian team that will compete at the games, originally created in 2014 by Prince Harry, were gathering in Canberra today to mark the 100-day countdown to competition.
Garry Robinson, a former special forces commander who was severely injured in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010, hopes the stands will be full of home-town crowds cheering on the Aussies.
"I spent two-and-a-half years in hospital and I was told I would never swim or ride a bike again, but I now have the opportunity to show my family and friends and the medical staff who have supported me how far I've really come," said Mr Robinson, who won who won medals in swimming events at the London and Orlando games.
"As Australians, we all share a love of sport. I encourage people in the community to get involved and show their support by buying a ticket to come and cheer on those competing at this year's Sydney games."
Five hundred wounded veterans from 18 nations will go head-to-head at the games, which run between October 20 and 27.
They'll compete in events including archery, athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sailing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and a driving challenge.
Australian competitors joined Invictus ambassadors including Olympic champion Ian Thorpe and Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester Director for the launch of the 100-day countdown at the Australian War Memorial on Thursday.
The memorial's director Brendan Nelson said the Sydney games were a chance to "celebrate the unconquered human spirit of our wounded warriors".
"This will be an unforgettable experience as we salute the courage and resilience of those who will compete in Sydney after eight days of incredible competition," he said.
* Tickets start from $20 and are available at www.invictusgames2018.org
Australian Associated Press
