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Renowned Executive Producers Assembling Unforgettable Military and Celebrity Performances
New York (April 12, 2016) –The Invictus Games Orlando 2016, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, taking place from May 8-12 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, Kissimmee, FL, today announced a star-studded lineup for the event’s Opening Ceremony on May 8, 2016. Esteemed Executive Producers of the Invictus Games 2016 Opening and Closing Ceremonies Sara Donaldson and Christopher Laue debuted the lineup at a presentation showcasing the spectacular elements of the ceremony.
“The Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 will be a spectacular event that reflects that awe-inspiring spirit and courage of the competitors, family, friends and care givers,” said Donaldson. “With breath-taking military performances, stories of courage and musical acts that are unmatched, fans won’t want to miss the epic display that will be put on at the Opening Ceremony and should buy their tickets now before they sell out.”
Founder of Donaldson Creative, Donaldson most recently Executive Produced the Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony in London, the Invictus Games London 2014 Ceremonies and along with Laue was Co-Chief Operating Officer of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Ceremonies. Laue, of ContinuumLIVE, most recently served as Executive Producer for the Lima 2019 Handover Segment at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, the Salvation Army International Congress, the Los Angeles Music Center 50th Anniversary Spectacular and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Veracruz 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games.
The Opening Ceremony will include musical performances by British sensation Laura Wright and international star James Blunt and other surprise guests. The Ceremony features an unprecedented number of military performances, including the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, U.S. Army Band, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Dill Team. In addition, the audience will hear emotional first-person narratives from injured servicemen MSgt Israel Del Toro Jr., LCpl John-James Chalmers and Louis Nethercott. The show is bound to be one of the most inspirational events Orlando has ever hosted.
“The pageantry of the opening ceremony will begin a week that will give us all the opportunity to pay tribute to service and honor the sacrifice of our injured servicemen and women and their families,” said Ken Fisher, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Invictus Games Orlando 2016. “I hope that every American can join us for the Invictus Games, cheer on these amazing competitors, and show those just starting out on the road to recovery what is possible, despite their injury or illness.”
Additionally, Invictus Games Orlando 2016 presented the Invictus Games Flag (which will fly over the Games) to the iconic Intrepid Museum in New York City where it will be on display until May.
This is the first U.S. stop the Invictus Games Flag will make on its way to the Invictus Games Orlando 2016. Invictus Games Orlando 2016 U.S. Team Captain, retired Army Captain Will Reynolds, was joined by Ken Fisher, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Invictus Games Orlando 2016, co-Chairman of the Intrepid Museum and Chairman of the Fisher House Foundation.
“The Invictus Games Flag represents the immeasurable sacrifice, valor and courage of hundreds of men and women from around the world competing in the Orlando 2016 games, and we hope everyone comes to Orlando to show their support and cheer them on,” said Ken Fisher, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Invictus Games Orlando 2016. “We hope visitors to the Intrepid Museum in the coming weeks feel the Invictus spirit as they see the flag on display, and will be inspired by the indefatigable spirit of our wounded military who will be amazing the world May 8th through 12th in Orlando.”
Captain Reynolds recently received the Invictus Games Flag from Invictus Games Foundation Patron Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace in London.
“It was an honor to bring the Invictus Games Flag from Buckingham Palace to the United States as we start the countdown to the Games,” said U.S. Team Captain Will Reynolds. “The U.S. team is focused on our last month of training as we head to Orlando. We are excited to compete in front of our families, friends and fans, to win medals and to bring honor to our country, and we ask everyone to come cheer on the U.S. team.”
Building on their sponsorship of the inaugural games in London in 2014, Jaguar Land Rover continue their partnership with Invictus Games as Presenting Partner for Orlando 2016. Arriving in New York today, the official flag vehicle, the specially commissioned Jaguar F-PACE, delivered the flag to US Team Captain Will Reynolds. In addition, Jaguar Land Rover will sponsor the UK Team competing in Orlando and have provided the Jaguar F-PACE which will transport the flag from New York to Washington D.C.
The Invictus Games Flag tour is symbolic of the journey the men and women competing in the games followed in their recoveries, and will travel all the way to Orlando for the Games, which take place May 8-12. The goal of the tour is to encourage support and participation in the Invictus Games 2016 but also educate audiences about the power of sports in recovery and to honor the brave sacrifices of all our service members and their families. The Games are a phenomenal chance to support men and women in uniform who will showcase true spirit and determination while being part of a unique, action-packed sporting event.
Fans can go to http://invictusgames2016.org/tickets/ to purchase tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event.