Athletes to Watch at the Invictus Games 2025
The Invictus Games 2025 will be held February 8-16, 2025 in Vancouver and Whistler. The event will reunite 550 athletes from 22 nations competing in 11 adaptive sports including Alpine Skiing and snowboard, Nordic Skiing, Biathlon, skeleton, wheelchair curling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball. Team Canada will be represented by 56 athletes.
Here is a list with some athletes to watch during this competition:
Athletes to Watch at the Invictus Games:
Assunta Aquino
Assunta served as a combat engineer in the Canadian military, deploying to the former Yugoslavia and monitoring landmines in Bosnia. Overcoming the challenges of an invisible injury, she found inspiration at the Ravensview Trauma Recovery Centre and committed to helping fellow veterans.
Trials: She will compete in alpine skiing, sitting volleyball and swimming.
Chris McGowan
A retired Navy cook from Brampton, Ontario, is currently in Victoria, B.C., after serving at CFB Esquimalt. Navigating the challenges of his injury, he is working hard on his recovery and finding hope through sports
Trials: He will compete in indoor rowing, wheelchair basketball, Nordic skiing, and skeleton at the Invictus Games.
Mike Babin
Mike, a retired CBRN Operator with CANSOFCOM, served across Canada and deployed internationally, including Bosnia, Kabul, and Kandahar. Struggling with PTSD post-service, he found renewed purpose through adaptive sports, particularly skiing, with support from Soldier On.
Trials: He will compete in alpine skiing, sitting volleyball, indoor rowing and skeleton.
Christophe Balayer
Christophe, a former Air Force Traffic Tech, served across Canada and deployed to Senegal and Mali. Struggling with injuries that affected his motivation, he turned to the Invictus Games to reignite his passion for sports and connect with others.
Trials: He will compete in alpine skiing, swimming, indoor rowing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.
Danyal Beale
Danyal, a former Physician Assistant with CANSOFCOM, served in multiple roles across the CAF, including deployments to Rwanda, Afghanistan, and at sea. Struggling with PTSD and physical injuries post-service, he turned to the Invictus Games to regain the camaraderie he once had.
Trials: He will compete in alpine skiing, indoor rowing, skeleton and wheelchair basketball.
Mark Beare
Mark, a former Army Logistics Officer, served across Canada and deployed to Kandahar, Dubai, and Kabul. Battling PTSD and MDD after years of service, he found support in his family and turned to the Invictus Games for recovery and growth.
Trials: He will compete in alpine skiing, indoor rowing, swimming, and skeleton.
Francesca Colussi
Francesca, a former Army and Navy officer, served across Canada and Europe, including with NATO during the Cold War. Battling PTSD, a back injury, and brain cancer, she turned to the Invictus Games as a symbol of resilience and national pride.
Trials: She will compete in alpine skiing, indoor rowing, skeleton and sitting volleyball.
Melissa Henderson
Melissa, a retired Supply Technician with CANSOFCOM, served in various roles, including deployments to Kingston and Dakar. Struggling with a back injury and mental health challenges, she turned to the Invictus Games for healing and community.
Trials: She will compete in alpine skiing, swimming and sitting volleyball.
Brittney Hendry
Brittney, a former Resource Management Support Clerk in the Air Force, served at CFB Petawawa, Halifax, and Kingston. After experiencing severe seizures and a near-death incident, she struggled with loss, but emerged stronger, embracing new relationships.
Trials: She will compete in sitting volleyball, swimming, indoor rowing, and skeleton
Freark de Vries
Freark, a former Infantryman with the Army, served with 3PPCLI and deployed to Poland and Iraq. After sustaining a traumatic brain injury and developing PTSD, he embraced therapy, which transformed his perspective.
Trials: He will compete in alpine skiing, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.
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