Invictus medals have native flower twist

Australian wattle features on the 2018 Invictus Games medals with the design being revealed before the games begin in Sydney next month.

2018 Invictus Games medals

The Invictus Games medals feature wattle and quotes from William Ernest Henley's poem Invictus. (AAP)

The Sydney Invictus Games medals feature an Australian twist with sprigs of golden wattle bordering the design.

Australian Invictus team members were joined by ambassadors, including Olympic champion Ian Thorpe, for the unveiling of the coveted medals on Tuesday ahead of next month's games.

The design was chosen by the Royal Australian Mint, which says the Australian native flower symbolises our national colours and will be in bloom while the wounded defence veterans compete at the week-long event.

As in previous years, the medals are inscribed with quotes from William Ernest Henley's poem Invictus: 'I am the master of my fate' and 'I am the captain of my soul'.

Co-captain of the Australian team Nicole Bradley told AAP the words were inspirational.

"It resonates for everybody who's working towards Invictus and all of those who are just fighting for something within themselves."

Ms Bradley is preparing to compete in athletics events and says training for the games helped her reconnect with her comrades after 22 years in the army.

"My injuries were pretty much under control but I didn't realise how isolated I had become from the veteran community," Ms Bradley said.

"I did my first march on Anzac Day this year which I'd never done before and it was partly getting involved with the veteran community here that I was able to grow my confidence exponentially."

Thorpe can relate to the intense build-up before a major sporting event, but added Invictus was unique in the nature and nurture of competitors.

"When we talk about sport being at its purest, this is what Invictus is," Thorpe said.

"It's not just hard work in training, this has been hard work for a lot of them just getting back out into the community."

More than 500 wounded defence veterans from 18 nations will compete in the Sydney games from October 20-27.


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Source: AAP



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