Darren Robinson is proud to have been selected for the second year running to represent Australia in the Invictus Games.
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Darren is one of 43 athletes in the Australian team, which is supported by the Australian Defence Force and and the Returned Services League, who will compete in the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada from September 23-30.
The Games are a Paralympic-style sporting event for wounded, injured and ill service and ex-service men and women from Commonwealth countries.
Darren served in East Timor in 1999/2000 and 2002 as a paratrooper before discharging in 2003.
He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and has fused discs in his back as a result of a paratrooping accident while in the army. He will complete in archery, discus, and seated shot put.
Related reading: Gold for Darren at US Army Trials
In 2016 Darren barely made the team. Initially he was told he did not make the team, but after returning with a gold medal from the US Army Trials in Fort Bliss, Texas, he had some good news – he would be returning to the USA to compete in the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida.
“I made the team last year as a very late call-up. I was the last athlete to be called up,” Darren said.
Related reading: Gold for Darren at US Army Trials
While he didn’t come home with a medal (his best result was coming sixth in the shot-put), he bought home some special memories.
Prince Harry spied Darren sitting in the spectator stands at the rowing, and fancied a try on the didgeridoo sitting by his side. The Prince’s failed efforts at getting sound out of the instrument made for much mirth.
Darren met Prince Harry again in Sydney at the launch of the 500-day countdown to the 2018 Invictus Games.
The 2018 Invictus Games will be held in Sydney from October 20-27, 2018. To find out more about the Games, whether you are eligible to participate, or want to volunteer, visit invictusgames2018.org.au. You can also keep up to date on the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 facebook page.
Darren suggests people like and follow the Team Invictus - Australia Facebook page as team members would enjoy knowing they are being supported by their fellow country members.
“Get on it and support all the lads and ladies!”