FORMER soldier James McGill will represent the UK in Orlando after being selected for the Invictus Games next month.
Rugby-born McGill will compete in the track and field and swimming events at the Games which take place from May 8-12.
A former Grenadier Guard, McGill was medically discharged from the army after an explosive device was activated while he was in Afghanistan. After rehabilitation, he began working at Jaguar Land Rover in Whitley back in July 2015 where he was encouraged to try out for the Games along with other former and serving armed forces personnel colleagues
More than 180 WIS military personnel and veterans trialed ten sports for one of the 110 places available in the UK Team. The rigorous selection process was based on the benefit the Invictus Games will give an individual as part of their recovery, combined with performance and commitment to training.
“The journey to selection has been tough, with so many great competitors in the mix, but the Invictus Games has given so many former and serving men and women a renewed focus and set of goals which should never be underestimated,” said McGill.
“I am hugely excited to be selected for the UK Team for the 2016 Invictus Games. I am very proud to be selected and represent the UK, and equally proud as a Jaguar Land Rover employee.
“Rehabilitation is a very personal thing but to be in employment and have a focus and support from a company like Jaguar Land Rover is one of the reasons I am able to be here today and look forward to competing in Orlando in May.”
The Invictus Games are the international adaptive sporting event for WIS Servicemen and women, both serving and veteran.
The inaugural Games were held in London in September 2014 and saw over 400 competitors from 13 nations compete in nine sports. This year will see the annual event expands again with around 500 competitors from 15 nations competing in ten sports, including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
