SPRINGWOOD INVICTUS GAMES ATHLETE WINS GOLD

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, has congratulated Springwood Invictus Games athlete, Craig McGrath, on winning Australia’s first gold medal in the Games, as part of the Australian sailing team.

The four man Elliott 7 crew dominated their heat and the final to win first place, and the silver and bronze medals also went to Australian teams.

“Invictus is Latin for ‘unconquered’, and Craig has certainly demonstrated just that attitude,” Ms Templeman said.

Craig spent nearly 20 years in the Army, in Special Operations Command, before being medically discharged following serious injuries sustained during his 2nd tour of Afghanistan.

“His achievement is even more impressive given he hadn’t sailed before leaving the Army,” Ms Templeman said.

“The Invictus Games use the power of sport as a catalyst to motivate recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of and respect for serving and ex-service personnel,” she said.

“This is the first time Australia has hosted the Games and we’re fielding our biggest ever team, with 72 current and former serving personnel competing alongside athletes from 17 other nations at Sydney’s Olympic Park, on Sydney’s streets and on the Harbour.”

The Invictus Games are open to competitors from all branches of the regular or reserve Armed Forces of participating nations who have become wounded, injured or ill during, or as a direct consequence of, their service.

“We are all thankful of the service and sacrifice Australian men and women have made for our freedoms