The Invictus Games wrapped up Thursday night in Orlando, and Team USA did not disappoint. The Americans dominated the medal podium, taking the most honors overall.
Discus and shot put thrower Max Rohn was among the champions, reclaiming his title from 2014 and winning two gold medals. The former Navy corpsman said the Invictus Games, an international competition for wounded service men and women started by Prince Harry, has meant "everything" to him.
"It"s kind of a celebration to a certain point in your recovery process. So this is like a finite point that you could look back on and just feel accomplished," Rohn said Friday on "CBS This Morning."
When Rohn was five months into his first tour in Iraq in 2009, a grenade struck his vehicle, and his right leg sustained serious injury. Doctors performed 14 surgeries to try to save it before Rohn requested a 15th to amputate.
Now he said losing his leg has made him a better person.
"One of my Marines says that, "It"s the best thing that ever happened to me." And that"s a difficult thing to hear at the beginning of the journey, but as you could see, it"s taken me to places that I would never go before," Rohn explained.
Yet, anger is a great motivator, he told "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King.
"For some things, especially shotput, it"s more of a grunt sport, so you get a little angry, and shotput goes a little farther," Rohn said.
He"s now training in hopes of making the 2016 Paralympics team.
"I will be 100 percent ready," Rohn said with a smile. "My competition is the best in the world. We have two of the best U.S. throwers, so I need to get up to their level, which I am at in practice. I just need to put it together for competition."
Invictus Games Gold Medalist Gives Medal Back to Prince Harry
The ceremony was also the final opportunity to cheer on the men and women who have exemplified the true meaning of Invictus. To start, each team paraded across the stage for the Medallion Ceremony.
The medallions, which were given to each competitor by the Invictus Games Foundation, were distributed by Prince Harry; Ken Fisher, Chairman of Invictus Games Orlando 2016; Dr. Jill Biden and Chairman of the Invictus Games Foundation, Sir Keith Mills. Competitors smiled from ear to ear, beaming with excitement as they took a lasting photograph with both Prince Harry and Dr. Jill Biden.
To celebrate four days of competition, world renowned musical artists took the stage to tell their Invictus stories through music. Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner of hit show, The Voice, performed Adele"s, "Set Fire to the Rain," and accompanied by a gospel choir, sang "Somebody to Love." Following Smith"s performance, the first nationally recognized wounded warrior band, Vetted, performed "No Man Left Behind." American Idol Season 11 winner, Phillip Philips performed, "Gone, Gone, Gone," among other songs.
In a touching tribute, actor Wilmer Valderrama presented the Jaguar Award for "Exceptional performance" to Sarah Rudder from the U.S. team for displaying true determination and grit from start to finish. WWE superstar John Cena then joined the stage to present the Land Rover "Above and Beyond" award to the Sitting Volleyball team from Georgia, who won a Bronze medal in the competition. The team was honored for their inspiring example of the Invictus spirit, as not only competitors but also as teammates. Following, international popstar Rachel Platten gave an inspiring performance.
Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden graced Champion Stadium to discuss her efforts to raise awareness about the sacrifices made by military families and to encourage 2016 competitors to never lose their Invictus spirit.
"All of you have the world behind you, and you are not alone," said Dr. Biden.
Following Dr. Biden"s moving remarks, U.S. Team Captain, Will Reynolds, received a standing ovation as he took the stage to reflect on his Invictus Games journey, encouraging millions to uncover their Invictus story.
"Our stories will memorialize all of our fortitude to come," said Reynolds. "However, it does not stop here. We must continue telling our stories so others can also have this life-changing experience."
On Sunday, May 8, 2016 during the Opening Ceremony, the U.S. Air Force Color Guard raised the Invictus Games Flag next to the flag of the United States. During the 2016 Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Flag served as a reminder that the servicemen and women competing in the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 are and remain unconquered. As the U.S. Air Force Color Guard lowered the flag during the Closing Ceremony, U.S. Captain Will Reynolds, Invictus Games Orlando 2016 Chairman, Ken Fisher and CEO, Vicky Gosling passed the flag to Canadian Team Captain, Bruno Guevremont and CEO of Invictus Games Toronto 2017, Michael Burns. Understanding the competitors would soon meet again in 2017, the crowd roared with applause as almost 500 men and women closed this chapter of their Invictus journey to prepare for a new chapter in Toronto.
Following the passing of the Invictus Games Flag, Prince Harry took the stage to resounding applause.
"The competition has been fierce with performances of the highest international standard across a number of events," said Prince Harry."But what inspired me, was the courage to make it to the starting line, to take to the field or to dive into that pool, motivated by the goal of giving your all - medal or no medal. You showed your families, your friends and yourselves, just how far you"ve come, regardless of the result."
To bring the Ceremony to a close, artists Rascal Flatts and Flo Rida took the stage and gave stellar performances, which included Rascal Flatt"s***t single, "Life Is a Highway," and international hip-hop sensation Flo Rida"s "My House."The finale of the show included the explosive colors of a spectacular fireworks show while a video set to Rachel Platten"s, "Fight Song" played. "Fight Song" has become an anthem for this year"s competitors and their families.
Fans can see highlights from the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 here.
The Invictus Games Orlando 2016 Opening and Closing Ceremonies were produced by continuumLIVE and Donaldson Creative with Christopher Laue and Sara Donaldson jointly performing the roles of Executive Producer and Creative Director.
About Invictus Games Orlando 2016Presented by Jaguar Land Rover, the Invictus Games are the only international adaptive sporting event for injured active duty and veteran service members. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve their country as well as their families and caregivers. Almost 500 competitors from 14 countries competed in 10 adaptive sports. The Invictus Games Orlando 2016 are presented by Jaguar Land Rover. The Official Supporters are the Walt Disney Company, Fisher House Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher Bothers, Sage, the Coca-Cola Company, Deloitte, Experience Kissimmee, Capital One, Invacare, Ottobock and Dow.
About The Invictus Games Symposium on Invisible WoundsThe George W. Bush Institute conducted an international symposium at the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 on May 8, to discuss solutions aimed at helping returning servicemen and women improve outcomes for their transition back to civilian life. President Bush also served as honorary chair for the Invictus Games Orlando 2016. The Invictus Games Symposium on Invisible Wounds convened warriors, experts and community partners to address the scale and scope of invisible wounds (Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries) facing warriors. With representatives from all fourteen nations participating, we discussed barriers to care, including both stigmas and stereotypes associated with these injuries.
About Jaguar Land Rover and Its Support of the Invictus GamesLuxury British automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is proud to be the presenting partner of the 2016 Invictus Games Orlando, the international sporting event for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women using sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve the country. Since 2013 Jaguar Land Rover has hired over 200 former servicemen and servicewomen in the UK, working closely with the Career Transition Partnership, the Ministry of Defence"s (MoD"s) official provider of Armed Forces resettlement. Details of a Jaguar Land Rover Veteran recruitment programme in the United States will be announced ahead of the Games.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/invictus-games-orlando-2016-celebrates-competitors-with-electrifying-closing-ceremony-300268209.html
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - On the final day of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 on Thursday, Mickey Mouse and his favorite dog, Pluto, spent some playful time with several competitors and their trusty service dogs at Shades of Green hotel at Walt Disney World Resort.
Invictus Games athletes from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada and their service dogs, who are instrumental in assisting the competitors in all facets of their everyday lives, spent time with Mickey Mouse and Pluto before heading off to their final day of competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The competitors also shared their stories of how their service dogs have impacted their lives.
The Invictus Games conclude on Thursday night at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort with the closing ceremony featuring Prince Harry, Dr. Jill Biden and several musical performances by national recording acts such as Rascal Flatts and Grammy-nominated hip-hop superstar Flo Rida. The closing ceremony is being televised live on ESPN2.
Invictus Games Orlando 2016, the brainchild of Prince Harry, is the only international adaptive sporting event for injured, wounded and ill active duty and veteran service members. The Games featured more than 500 competitors from 14 nations competing in 10 sports archery, cycling, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track and field and indoor rowing.
Information provided by Walt Disney World Resort Public Relations
