Oral Presentation 6 The Invictus Games ‘Sport is surely the best way to support recovery of mind and body.’ When Prince Harry said these words in 2014, it wasn’t just an idea. It was the beginning of what since then has become one of the most important and meaningful sport events worldwide. The Invictus (form Latin ‘unconquered’) Games is a multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick army veterans. The first edition was held in in 2014, then came Orlando in the USA in 2016, in in 2017 and in 2018. Athletes compete in many sport disciplines such as archery, athletics, golf, indoor rowing, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, and . The aim of the games is to demonstrate the power of sport and life beyond . In Toronto, more than 550 competitors from 16 nations participated in the games.

The games reflect Prince Harry values. They are very competitive, but they are also great fun. In Harry’s words: ‘The premise is simple: set yourself a target, take your mind off all the negative thoughts and concentrate on the challenge in front of you, all while relearning to use your body.’ Winners are celebrated with gold, silver and bronze medals, but there are also medallions for every participant.

Prince Harry joined the Army Air Corps in 2008 and became a pilot of Apache Helicopters. He served in Afghanistan and other territories at war until 2015. According to his fellows and superiors, he was good at his job and for the first time in his life, he wasn’t treated as a member of the Royal Family but as a man. During his years in the army he learnt and understood the team ethics and how to fight and win together. He was lucky enough to come home unwounded, but others weren’t. His mission with the Invictus Games is to ensure that injured troops will never be forgotten.

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Before you read Exam Competences 1 Pairwork Do you know which countries in Ti potrà capitare di fare degli errori durante the world are currently at war? Exchange la presentazione orale. Potrà essere un errore ideas with your partner. grammaticale, o un dato o un nome errato. In questi casi è sempre bene non disperare e non 2 Read the text and answer the questions. perdere la concentrazione, piuttosto riprendere lentamente da dove ci si è interrotti e assicurarsi di 1 What are the Invictus Games? arrivare fino alla fine dell’esposizione in modo da 2 Who created them and when? presentare un elaborato coerente. 3 What kind of people can participate in the games? 4 Collaborative task Share your fact file 4 What is the aim of the games? with your partner. Discuss your work 5 What do winners get? together and help each other find the best way to present the event to the 6 When did Prince Harry work as a pilot? class. Think also of visual or multimedia 7 Why was it an important experience for support: photographs, advertising him? campaigns, promo videos. 8 What is his mission with the Invictus Games? 5 Research Discuss the questions with 9 Why do you think it is important for your partner. Take notes. wounded people to take part in this kind • Do you think events such as the Invictus of events? Games are important? Why? 10 Would you like to attend the event? • Do an internet research on the Why?/Why not? . What are they? • Which sports are there at the Paralympics? • Do you know any Italian athletes who took part in the Paralympics? Who are they and what sport did they compete in?

6 Use your notes to prepare your oral presentation. Speak for about 3 minutes.

Links 3 Search the Internet and find out about Geografia: Il Medio Oriente the . Report the Storia: La guerra in Afghanistan main points in the fact file. Cittadinanza e Costituzione: La salute e la cura della persona; name of event ______Educazione alla pace Inglese: Le olimpiadi di Londra 2016 when it started ______Francese: Pierre de Coubertin why it started ______Scienze: L’energia cinetica which sports are played ______Scienze motorie: Il doping names of famous competitors ______Letteratura: ‘Goal’ di Umberto Seba Arte: Il Futurismo the Queen’s Baton Relay is ______Musica: Gli inni nazionali

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