Invictus Games – BBC1

Invictus Games hosts JJ Chalmers and Alex Jones
(Image credit: BBC)

Highlights of the opening ceremony of the multi-sport event for injured or sick armed forces personnel and veterans, which comes from the Sydney Opera House in Australia

It’s only been four short years since Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games in London.

Since then, it has changed countless lives and showcased some incredible sporting feats.

As the Games head Down Under, Alex Jones and JJ Chalmers lead the coverage, beginning with highlights from the Opening Ceremony in Sydney.

Invictus Games - Cyclist Wayne Harrod

Cyclist Wayne Harrod

The competition gets properly under way tomorrow, with the focus on road cycling. Continues daily.

Invictus Games - Picture Shows: Cyclist Steve Sebburn

Road cyclist Steve Sebburn

Competitor Michelle Turner, 39, one of the vice-captains of the 72-strong UK team, will compete in swimming and indoor rowing... TV Times caught up with her. The full interview is available in our issue on sale on 16 October.

What’s your background? I joined the RAF in 1997 and it was my dream job. But in 2013, on deployment in Bahrain, I got a virus and didn’t get better. I kept collapsing and felt dizzy and exhausted. I was diagnosed with a heart condition called postural tachycardia syndrome, which was caused by the virus. When I was medically discharged from the RAF, I was heartbroken. After one collapse, my daughter Maya, then four, saved my life by calling for help.

Invictus Games - Swimmer Michelle Turner - Vice Captain of the Invictus Games UK team

Swimmer Michelle Turner - Vice Captain of the Invictus Games UK team

Why did you become involved with Invictus? I was in hospital when I got an invite from Invictus. I thought I couldn’t do it. My husband John said, ‘You can, because we’re losing you.’ So I went to the training camp for the Toronto Games and it was amazing. Then, in Toronto, I competed in the rowing but missed my swimming heat because I collapsed. This year, it doesn’t matter where I come, I just want to get on those swimming blocks. I’ll be petrified but I want to achieve what I set out to do.

TV Times ratings: *****

 

Mandy Cooper
TV Times Highlights Editor

As TV Times Highlights Editor I get to hear about all the latest TV shows coming soon. Here at TVT HQ we are in the privileged position of selecting the best programmes from across all the channels and streaming platforms. Our mission is to make it easier for our readers to decide what to watch - and give them lots of choice of genres - all the latest shows, plus some nostalgic choices we call hidden gems, too. My career began with a postgraduate degree in periodical journalism (ahem, yes old school!) in 1991 and I’ve worked in TV media since 2000.