Interview with Alex Jones

What made you want to get involved with the Invictus Games?
It’s something completely new to me, but we’ve covered the Invictus Games a lot on The One Show and we’ve interviewed The Duke of Sussex about it and it’s such a special and amazing event. It’s a sport event essentially, but of course there’s a lot more to it than that. We all really respect the military and what they do and the Invictus Games really helps us have a greater understanding of what it is that they’ve done for us and how their time and service has affected the armed forces.

Why do you think the Invictus Games are so important?
It’s a huge thing that Prince Harry started and I don’t think he even realised how big or how important they would become. We’ve been covering it on The One Show for a few years now and it in terms of the people that we have interviewed, it plays such a huge and important role in their recovery. The Games has allowed these men and women to focus on something positive. Whether they are in it to win or just to feel part of a team, I think it’s a real stepping stone in helping their recovery.

Invictus helps to turn people’s lives around - can you tell us of an inspiring turning point in your life?
Probably when I climbed Moonlight Buttress in Utah for Sport Relief, which was a three-day climb. I had never climbed before at all, not even a fake wall in a climbing centre, it was completely new for me. That was an epic experience, it’s just amazing what you can achieve when you’ve got a challenge and a focus.

Did you watch last year’s Invictus Games? What was your favourite event?
The Wheelchair Rugby was the one really stuck out to me, and I remember when they were explaining it, saying how can it work? And when it started, it was full on and brutal. They don’t mess about! So that’s the one I’m really looking forward to going see this year.

What are you looking forward to the most in your first time presenting the games?
The fact that we can meet all of these inspiring people. I have an appreciation of what our service men and women do, but not a very good understanding, so I’m really looking forward to speaking to families and learning about how the physical and mental traumas have impacted on them and on their children. Also being in Sydney which is a beautiful city, it will be nice to be out there with all the supporters, I think there will be a great atmosphere. I’m also looking forward working with JJ.

Have you spent a lot of time with JJ? Will Matt your co-presenter on The One Show be jealous of your trip?
Matt will be delighted, he's a big supporter of the Invictus Games and he thinks it will be a great opportunity. Also JJ is one of the reporters on The One Show, so we are familiar with him, he’s been on the show lots of times for different topics, but it will be the first time we have directly worked together.

Have you ever been to Sydney before? If so, are there any places in Sydney that are your favourite to visit?
I have been to Sydney before, and when you get off of the train and you see the Opera House on the Harbour for first time, it’s absolutely spectacular - but for me the favourite place is the fish market. It’s a really bustling fish market and when you go in you can order anything you want to eat and they make these delicious chips and everyone sits outside, but the only problem is the seagulls!

Sunday 21 October 4.50pm-5.35pm

Alex Jones and JJ Chalmers bring highlights from the first day of action at the 2018 Invictus Games. The centrepiece of the sporting schedule is the road cycling which takes place in a tight circuit around the city’s Royal Botanic Garden. Commentary comes from Rob Walker and former Invictus Games double gold medallist Steve Arnold. In the studio Alex and JJ are joined by special guests and explore the stories of recovery and rehabilitation.

Highlights of the cycling event will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button from 5.35pm.