Invictus Games could come to Yorkshire

A ROCK CONCERT featuring the Foo Fighters and the Kaiser Chiefs sent off the inaugural Invictus Games in style last night - as Prince Harry hinted the event could come to Yorkshire.

The Prince said yesterday he was “over the moon” by how the competition for wounded servicemen and women had gone and suggested that next year’s event could take place out of London.

He said: “We’ve now got America showing interest in 2016 and Canada showing interest in 2017 so the question is what do we do next year?

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“I personally, along with a couple of other people on the board, would love to keep it in the UK, maybe head north whether it be Glasgow, whether it be Sheffield, whether it be Manchester.”

During the closing ceremony for the Games last night, the Prince delivered a statement from the Queen who said she had been “deeply moved” by the “courage, determination and talent” of those involved in the inaugural Invictus Games.

The monarch spoke of her admiration for those members of the Armed Forces family who had overcome “great adversity” to take part in the Games.

Team GB celebrated a large medal haul alongside the Games founder, Prince Harry, who began celebrations for his 30th birthday early.

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The Prince, who turns 30 today, said planned to “have a beer” with Dave Henson, captain of the GB team, who also celebrates the landmark birthday today.

The Prince and Mr Henson, a former Royal Engineers Captain from Southampton, have become firm friends during the build up to the international competition.

Harry, speaking during the weekend, which has seen thousands cheer on the competitors, said: “On the birthday side of things, I’ll be chuffed to bits when I’m having a beer with Dave Henson, captain of the GB team - we turn 30 at exactly the same time, on Sunday night.

“We’re really looking forward to being 30, both feeling quite old about it.”

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Harry launched the contest earlier this year, after being inspired by a similar initiative in the US.

There were more medals for Yorkshire veterans in the final two days of competition, with Rob Cromey-Hawke, 30, of Cowling, near Skipton, picking up three gold medals in the road cycling on Saturday.

Mr Cromey-Hawke was injured during a tour of Afghanistan in 2012 while serving with the Royal Engineers, when the vehicle he was travelling in drove over an Improvised Explosive Device.

In the pool yesterday, David Wiseman, 31, of Tadcaster, who was seriously injured in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when he was shot in the chest, in 2009, picked up two golds and two silver medals.

They add the medals won earlier in the games by archers David Hubber, of Ripon, and Mikey Hall, 39, of Richmond.