Dave Innes will be back in North Bay today after his amazing Invictus Games experience in Australia which wrapped up on the weekend.
Innes, who was paralyzed from the ribs down in a training accident at CFB Gagetown more than 25 years ago, won silver in the one-minute indoor rowing event. He also had a fourth-place finish in the men’s IR2 four-minute endurance indoor rowing event and also competed in powerlifting and played on Canada’s wheelchair basketball team.
“It has been a little surreal, crazy emotional but a chance of a lifetime,” stated Innes via his Facebook page on his final night in Sydney.
“The whole Team Canada thing was a gift we were given and what we chose to do with it this week and what we choose to do with it after the games is 100 per cent up to us. I know I am going to take this experience and I am going to run with it for sure. I have got big plans ahead of me, big goals in my future. I am definitely not going to take this experience for granted.”
See related: Innes wins silver at Invictus Games
See related: Innes gives special hello to his Mom during Invictus Games competition
Innes also was named the flag bearer for Team Canada at the closing ceremonies.
Innes says the week of competition has inspired him to take his training to the next level.
“Thanks, everyone for following me through the craziness and hopefully everyone will want to follow me when I train for the 2020 Paralympics,” said Innes.
Innes was one of Team Canada’s 39-person contingent included 17 serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and 22 veterans.
Team Canada competed in archery, track and field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sailing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.
