Coldplay's Chris Martin to write opening anthem for Prince Harry's Invictus Games

 
Gig: Chris Martin (Picture: PA)

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is to write the anthem for the opening ceremony of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games — the international sports event for wounded service personnel to be held in London.

An audience of 5,000 is expected at the South Lawn of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 10 September for the spectacular prelude to the four-day event. It will include a performance of the anthem by Martin.

The opening ceremony, to be shown live on the BBC, has been put together by Kim Gavin, the creative director of the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony.

It will include a flypast by The Red Arrows and displays by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Queen’s Colour Squadron, 63 Squadron RAF Regiment. They will be joined by bands from the Royal Marines, the Army and the RAF.

Event: Prince Harry (Picture: Getty)

Tickets for the Invictus Games went on sale today. More than 400 wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, from 14 nations, will compete in the event from September 11-14.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I am delighted that the first ever Invictus Games will take place on London’s newest park and in its world-class sporting venues.”

Sir Keith Mills, chairman of the Invictus Games, said: “The Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games will be a fantastic way to kick off what we know will be an inspirational four days of sport.

“The men and women who will be competing have already given so much and we hope the Opening Ceremony will demonstrate to them just how much we recognise this.”

One of those in training and hoping to be selected for the British Armed Forces team is Lance Corporal John-James Chalmers, 26, of 42 Commando Royal Marines, who suffered severe injuries in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2011. The Edinburgh-based competitor, known as JJ, hopes to take part in athletics and cycling.

He said: “The Invictus Games have given a whole international community of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women something to strive for. For us it’s about much more than four days of sport.”

The Invictus Games are supported and organised by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. Tickets cost £12.85 from www.invictusgames.org

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