Patrick Levis was lost.

The Canadian Armed forces major was paralyzed after having surgery to remove a pineapple-sized tumour from his abdomen. His new reality only made worse the post-traumatic stress disorder he was already living with following decades as an infantry officer.

Then Levis found the Invictus Games.

B次元官网网址淲hen I first became ill and became disabled following my surgery, I had lost my identity,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ecause I always had done sports and I was in the military, and now I knew that I was going to be released from the military because of my disability.

B次元官网网址淭he Games gave me something to aim for, and enticed me or encouraged me to start doing sports.B次元官网网址�

Levis won six medals, including four gold, when the Games were held in Duesseldorf, Germany, in 2023. He also found a whole new community of people living similar experiences to him.

Now heB次元官网网址檚 looking to help other healing service personnel find that same magic as a volunteer during the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

B次元官网网址淲ith the military, youB次元官网网址檙e always part of an organization. And then when you get released from the military, you kind of lose that part of your identity,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏y participating at the Games B次元官网网址� and coming back as a volunteer B次元官网网址� you kind of rekindle that spirit that you kind of lost because of your illness.B次元官网网址�

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to champion post-injury achievements of wounded, injured and sick military veterans and other service personnel.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 Games begin Saturday with a grand opening ceremony in Vancouver and run through Feb. 16.

About 800 performers are set to entertain the crowd at BC Place during the opening ceremonies, including musical stars Katy Perry and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and musicians, bagpipers and dancers from communities around Vancouver and Whistler.

For producer Patrick Roberge, the show is an opportunity to celebrate and welcome competitors from around the globe.

Roberge also produced the opening and closing ceremonies when the Games were held in Toronto in 2017, and said the Invictus Games come with unique considerations.

B次元官网网址淭hese Games are unique and very different than any other sporting event. A lot of these participants are suffering from PTSD, or they have physical challenges just to be present,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淎nd so we really are adapting the show to make it very accessible for them, and also being very respectful for them. So we donB次元官网网址檛 have fireworks in the show B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 not that kind of show. But itB次元官网网址檚 going to be magical, itB次元官网网址檚 going to be inspiring.B次元官网网址�

Creating community from the very beginning of the Games is a must, said Scott Moore, chief executive officer of the 2025 Games.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of people who have left the military feel like theyB次元官网网址檝e lost their family, theyB次元官网网址檝e lost their support system,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淕etting back on a team gives them a goal, gives them an objective, and gives them that community back.

B次元官网网址淔or people who have left the Canadian Armed Forces, this will be the first time for many that theyB次元官网网址檝e got a chance to wear the Maple Leaf on their sleeve again. And that was so important to them during their service time. Getting that back is part of that magic.B次元官网网址�

More than 500 athletes from 23 nations are set to compete in 11 adaptive sports this year, including B次元官网网址� for the first time B次元官网网址� winter events such as skiing, snowboarding, biathlon and skeleton.

Adding new disciplines has been exciting for organizers and competitors alike, said Moore.

B次元官网网址淚 love that challenge. Our team loves that challenge of being able to say weB次元官网网址檙e the first to do this,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he goal is to create the expectation that adaptive sport can be something that you do 12 months a year. For many of our competitors who come from outside of Canada, doing a winter sport is something totally new.B次元官网网址�

Competitors will also take part in more traditional Invictus events, including swimming, wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball.

Levis raced four distances in wheelchair racing back in 2023, winning gold in each, and competed in two categories of indoor rowing.

B次元官网网址淓ven though I received four gold medals in wheelchair racing, the one that I cherish the most is my silver medal in rowing, because thatB次元官网网址檚 the one that I felt that I did my best and I actually achieved my personal best,B次元官网网址� he said.

Levis also took some intangible prizes from Duesseldorf B次元官网网址� lasting bonds with people across the world.

HeB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to seeing several of his Invictus friends in Vancouver and Whistler. TheyB次元官网网址檒l run into one another at events, meet up for meals, laugh and chat and share both highs and lows.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what helps you in your journey, is knowing that thereB次元官网网址檚 people out there that will support you regardless what your impairment is,B次元官网网址� Levis said. B次元官网网址淵ou know that youB次元官网网址檒l be supported.B次元官网网址�