Invictus Games Foundation (IGF) inspection team from the United Kingdom conducts on-site inspection of venues in Daejeon
The inspection team from the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF), which leads the international sports competition for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, will visit Daejeon for two days from February 24 to 25 to conduct an on-site inspection of the city, which is bidding to host the Invictus Games 2029.
The inspection team consists of four members: Rob Owen OBE, Chief Executive of the Foundation; Richard Smith CBE, Deputy Chief Executive; Sam Newell, Head of Communications; and Caroline Davis, Chief Operating Officer.
This inspection is part of the process for hosting an international sporting event. Its purpose is to comprehensively assess how the spirit of Invictus, which represents the courage to overcome injury, can be embodied throughout the city, and what role Daejeon can play as a "city that places the highest value on veterans' affairs and recovery."
On February 24, the first day of the inspection, the team will begin its schedule by paying respects at the Daejeon National Cemetery together with Daejeon Administrative Vice Mayor Yoo Deukwon. The Daejeon National Cemetery is expected to be used as the venue for the cycling events, symbolizing Korea's vision for the Games: "starting from remembrance and moving together on a journey toward recovery."
After the visit to the cemetery, the inspection team will visit Daejeon City Hall to hold meetings in turn with the Daejeon Metropolitan Council and Administrative Vice Mayor Yoo Deukwon. At the Daejeon Convention Center, the main stadium for the Games, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Daejeon City and the Korea Disabled Veterans Organization will deliver a comprehensive briefing on the event.
From the afternoon of February 24 through February 25, the team will focus on inspecting nine competition venues including the Daejeon Convention Center, accommodation for athletes and their families, the athletes' lounge (Nations Home), and the proposed site for the Invictus Village. The inspection will conclude with a dinner hosted by the Administrative Vice Mayor of Daejeon Metropolitan City at Hanbit Tower at 6:30 p.m. on February 25.
The Invictus Games is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, founded in 2014 by Prince Harry of the United Kingdom. It has been held in London (United Kingdom), Orlando (United States), Toronto and Vancouver/Whistler (Canada), Sydney (Australia), The Hague (Netherlands), and Dusseldorf (Germany).
After the Games are held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 2027, Daejeon in the Republic of Korea, San Diego in the United States, and Aalborg in Denmark are competing to host the 2029 edition. The bid application will be submitted in May, the presentation will take place in June, and the final decision will be made in July.
Daejeon Administrative Vice Mayor Yoo Deukwon said, "In Daejeon, a culture of honoring national heroes and patriots is deeply rooted throughout the city, centered on the Daejeon National Cemetery, and the city also has the capacity to host an international event in terms of sports facilities, accommodation, transportation, and accessibility. During the inspection period, we will do our utmost to fully demonstrate both the values that the Republic of Korea pursues for these Games and the level of preparation we have achieved."
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