PRINCE Harry has heaped praise on military stars as he faces calls to hand back an award honouring a war hero.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is due to be honoured with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games work at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 11.
Harry has come under fire from military veterans and even the mother of Pat Tillman – who the award honours – who say he shouldn’t accept it.
The Duke has today congratulated the athletes who will represent Team UK at the next games, after 64 competitors were revealed in Milton Keynes.
The games are being held in Whistler, Canada, next year and are the first to feature winter sports.
The Team, who are all wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans, came together to celebrate their selection for the first ever winter Games through a skiing and snowboarding session which featured adaptive sit ski equipment today.
Harry said: “Congratulations to those selected for Team UK for our first-ever Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver Whistler next February.
“Team UK will join over 500 competitors from across 20 nations in this groundbreaking event that expands the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.
“These games present an incredible opportunity for our courageous service personnel and veterans to demonstrate their skills in new challenges like Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding and Skeleton, as well as providing a truly memorable experience for their families.
“We’re excited to see their passion, determination, and resilience on full display as they take on this new chapter.”
The Invictus Games runs for one week. It sees over 500 athletes compete over nine core sports – as well as additional activities and competitions, including esports.
Sporting events at the Games include wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and indoor rowing.
In 2023, 21 countries including Israel, Colombia and Nigeria will take part in the tournament – which will also see Rita Ora sing at the closing ceremony.
The first ever Invictus Games took place in March 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
The Buffalo Bills’ training staff (2023) after Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on field.
Retired US Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans (2022) who founded Team Unbroken, an adaptive racing team of mostly veterans.
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford (2021).
Health care worker and boxing champion Kim Clavel (2020).
Kristie Ennis, former Marine and founder of the Kristie Ennis Foundation (2019).
Navy-Marine Commendation Medal recipient, Sergeant and founder of Team Rubicon Jake Wood (2018).
Purple Heart recipient and Invictus Games gold medalist Israel Del Toro (2017).
U.S. Army Sgt. and Invictus Games gold medalist Elizabeth Marks (2016).
Former Notre Dame basketball player, Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient Danielle Green (2015).
U.S. Paralympic gold-medal sled hockey player and Purple Heart recipient Josh Sweeney (2014).
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