Colorado Helped Inspire Prince Harry For 'Invictus Games'
DENVER (CBS4)- Britain's Prince Harry is crediting his visit to the Warrior Games in Colorado two years ago with inspiring him to create his own athletic competition for wounded service members and veterans.
The prince visited the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs in May 2013 for the Warrior Games. He said that visit helped inspire him to create the Invictus Games, an Olympic-style international tournament for wounded service members and veterans.
PHOTO GALLERY: Prince Harry Visits Colorado
"I saw the power that sport could play in the recovery of both mind and body. I thought that surely everyone, whether connected to the armed forces or not, would be inspired by their achievements. So I left Colorado with the determination to broaden this to an international audience," said Prince Harry.
The prince will be stopping by the Oval Office to see President Barack Obama on Wednesday Before that, he's teaming up with First Lady Michelle Obama at Fort Belvoir in suburban Virginia where he will observe therapy rooms and a wheelchair basketball game.
The first Invictus Games took place in London last year. For 2016, Harry will go international with the games, hosting them in Orlando, Fla.
Talking about next year's games, Harry said, "You'd better bring it, USA."
Prince Harry is a veteran of the British Army where he was a combat helicopter pilot.