Invictus Games National Flag Tour stops in North Bay

The Invictus Games start later this week in Toronto and the spirit of the games was in North Bay on Monday.

There is a national flag tour highlighting the games at military bases and Royal Canadian Legion branches.

The tour stopped at 22 Wing CFB North Bay and Legion Branch 599.

The flag bearer was Dave Innes of North Bay, who was injured in a training accident in 1990 in New Brunswick.

He says that accident has not defined him.

“I was originally told 27 years ago that my life expectancy because of my injuries was 40 years old. I’m 46 now and I’m healthier than most people,” he says.

Yvan Wanis-Ruiz is spokesperson for the Invictus Games.

He says the games are an international competition.

Wanis-Ruiz says all the competitors are retired or active service members who have been injured in the line of service or as as a consequence of their service.

There are 550 athletes taking part.

He says the eight days of athletic competition may be in Toronto, but those taking part are from bases and legions across the country.

“We wanted to make sure we reached out to all of them. We’re visiting 22 military bases, 17 legions and over 50 communities across Canada. We want people to realize that the Invictus Games are a Canadian event,” he says.