Tourism Partnership of Niagara to help celebrate armed service personnel
Niagara tourism leaders are preparing to roll out the red carpet to welcome hundreds of athletes competing in Toronto's upcoming Invictus Games for an action-packed day of sightseeing.
HRH Prince Harry will open the Games on Saturday, Sept. 23, in Toronto, kicking off a weeklong multisport competition for more than 550 wounded, ill and injured armed service personnel and veterans from 17 countries.
Up to 500 athletes, family members and coaching staff will take a specially chartered Via Rail train to Niagara Falls on Wednesday, Sept. 27, for a daylong outing to enjoy the destination's world-class attractions and activities.
"We're thrilled to help provide these incredible men and women a shared Niagara experience with friends and family," said Anthony Annunziata, executive director of the Tourism Partnership of Niagara. "We're looking forward to showing them all the best that Niagara has to offer and then rooting for them as they compete in the Games."
Prince Harry created the Invictus Games three years ago as a way to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of and respect for those who serve their country.
Canada is hosting the games during its 150th anniversary year as a way of paying tribute to servicemen and women whose sacrifices have helped shape Canada throughout its history. The athletes - including 90 Canadians - will compete in 12 adaptive sports in various locations across Toronto.
The Invictus Games are about more than just athletics - they're also about challenging minds and changing lives. The Toronto Games are adopting a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, by offering events beyond sport to help competitors find motivation and not be defined by their injuries. There are a variety of cultural activities organized for participants throughout the week.
Niagara tourism partners organized the daytrip to the city to give athletes and their families an opportunity to see one of Canada's premier destinations and enjoy themselves when they aren't competing. Organizations supporting the day's activities include the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara Parks Commission and Hornblower Niagara Cruises.
"The Invictus Games are all about celebrating the incredible spirit of men and women who have given so much to their countries," Annunziata said. "We're thrilled that we can play a small part in showing these competitors and their families how much we value them."
The Invictus Games will conclude Saturday, Sept. 30.
Tourism Partnership of Niagara is a nonprofit industry led organization funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. It is one of 13 regional tourism organizations in the Province of Ontario. Sub-regional partners include Niagara Falls Tourism, Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake, City of St. Catharines Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Twenty Valley Tourism Association and Niagara's South Coast Tourism Association.
