Founded by His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and ill service men and women, both active duty and veteran. The Games use the healing power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and celebrate the crucial role played by family and friends.
The Invictus Games 2018 will be hosting more than 500 competitors from 18 nations to contest medals in 11 adaptive sports. Two of those events, road cycling and sailing, will take place at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Which also offers front row seats to the scheduled meet and greet on 16 October and the Opening Ceremony on 20 October - both taking place at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.
Where to watch the Games in the Garden
Visitors will be able to watch the road cycling and sailing events from the Garden and Domain. The area around Farm Cove, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and along Art Gallery Road will be very busy with onlookers barracking for the competitors on Sunday 21 October.
Sailing at Farm Cove
The beautiful Sydney harbour will provide a spectacular backdrop for the Invictus Games debut of sailing. The competitors will sail from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia at Rushcutters Bay to Farm Cove.
Spectators will be able to view the action from the Queen Elizabeth II Gates all the way from Mrs Macquaires Point. There is plenty of space to watch the race, but we are expecting a large crowd as this is a popular event. The pathway doesn’t have a lot of shade so be sun safe and bring a hat and plenty of water.
Road cycling at Mrs Macquaries Point
Two road cycling events will take place on Art Gallery Road and Mrs Macquaries Road on Sunday 21 October. Road, hand, tandem and recumbent bikes will be used in these events.
The time trial will be contested over 2.4 km on a single loop course and the criterium will be contested over several laps.
There are two viewing areas for family and friends that will be blocked off to the general public – the start and finish line at the land bridge near Woolloomooloo Gates and a section near Mrs Maquaries Point.
Everywhere else will be open for viewers and the cycling route will have designated spots for pedestrians to cross the road. The best spots to watch will be in the grassy island of Yurong Precinct, near the top of Fleet Steps in the Domain and the gate by Victoria Lodge.