BBC reveals coverage plans for Invictus Games
The BBC has announced its presenting team and coverage plans for the 2016 Invictus Games.
BBC One will be the exclusive UK broadcast partner for the Games, which feature over 500 competitors from 15 countries.
They will be held in Orlando, Florida, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from Monday May 9th to Friday 13th May.
In addition to the daily live coverage and highlights of the sporting events, BBC One will put the stories of the UK Armed Forces Team centre stage with an hour-long documentary, The Road To The Games, which is due for broadcast in the week prior to the events.
The documentary will focus on the inspirational stories of the competitors involved and follow them as they prepare with their team mates and families.
A second documentary, split into two hour-long parts, will follow the progress of Gareth Malone, who has been invited to form a choir made up of wounded, injured and sick ex-servicemen and women to perform at the Invictus Games.
Gabby Logan will present the live studio coverage from Orlando each weeknight during the Games.
She said: “I am honoured and excited to be bringing audiences at home all the latest drama and excitement from the 2016 Invictus Games.
“It will be amazing to support all the competitors, to hear their stories and to shine a light on their phenomenal achievements.”
'Power of the human spirit'
The co-presenters will be Ade Adepitan, Daráine Mulvihill and Rachael Latham.
The experts and commentators will be Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (track and field; opening and closing ceremonies), Steve Brown (wheelchair rugby), Jon-Allan Butterworth (cycling), Jayant Mistry (wheelchair tennis) and Martine Wright (sitting volleyball).
Seasoned sports commentators Eddie Butler, Mike Costello, Mike Sewell and Chris Mitchell will also be at the event.
The BBC was host broadcaster of the inaugural Invictus Games in London in 2014.
Guy Freeman, executive producer for BBC Entertainment and Events, said: “We are honoured to be returning as the official UK broadcast partner of the second Invictus Games.
“Each and every competitor has a unique story to tell, but what shines through everyone is the power of the human spirit and camaraderie to overcome adversity which can’t help but inspire.”
Dominic Reid, managing director of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “The support from the BBC during the inaugural Invictus Games was instrumental in telling the stories of our inspirational competitors.
“So it’s fantastic that it will again be throwing its full weight behind the Games.
“I’m thrilled that the BBC is continuing to shine a light on how important sport is in the rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.”
