The INVICTUS GAMES are coming to Düsseldorf! On 9 September 2023, the world-famous para-sports event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, which was brought to life by Harry, Duke of Sussex, will officially open in the Merkur Spielarena in Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia. There is a lot to do before this happens. The soldiers have to work consistently on their own rehabilitation goals alongside their service. The athletes who have just returned from The Hague have memories of an unforgettable experience of camaraderie, top performance and recognition.

This event is more than sport. Many injured soldiers share that sport and disciplined training preparation for the Games has given them back their courage to face life. The organisers of the INVICTUS GAMES are already actively out and about in Düsseldorf preparing for the Games - the warm welcome the soldiers receive wherever they go shows that the Bundeswehr and their soldiers have found their place in people's hearts. The Games will be a gesture of humanity. Reason enough to do a series of background interviews with the German Invictus athletes at the Games in The Hague, all of whom hope to be there in Düsseldorf. 

Alethea Magazine met Vocko, team captain of the German INVICTUS GAMES 2022 team in The Hague. He is currently serving in Helicopter Squadron 46 in Laubheim and is in charge of the family support centre. We also learn how the Bundeswehr wants to encourage individuals on to set and achieve new goals by participating in the INVICTUS GAMES. In addition - How does an athlete with post-traumatic Stress Disorder/PTSD prepare for a competition and compete in 5 disciplines? What methods can help soldiers suffering from PTSD? Vocko has noticed a change in society in recent months in the acceptance and respect for soldiers and he hopes that this will be carried forward with the INVICTUS GAMES Düsseldorf 23. The reader also learns why Vocko thinks that Düsseldorf will be the perfect venue for the games.

Repost from 26 May 2022

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IN FOCUS

Name: Vocko

Occupation: Soldier, team captain of the German INVICTUS GAMES 2022 team in The Hague.

How did you actually find out about INVICTUS GAMES and how did you become team captain?

After I fell ill, the troop doctor suggested I visit the sports therapy group in Warendorf. There I heard about the Invictus Games for the first time in a lecture. The speaker also said that you should set yourself mental and psychological goals. At that time, my mental goal was to go to the Christmas market with my children and my physical goal was just to improve my cardio. The Bundeswehr appointed me team captain for the INVICTUS GAMES 2022 in The Hague. We were 19 athletes in total, including one woman. Due to Corona, there were unfortunately several postponements, so the 2020 Games finally took place in 2022.

How many disciplines does the Invictus Games have?

Athletics, (sprint disciplines, endurance, shot put, discus throw, long jump) swimming, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, indoor rowing, Archery, Cycling. The bench press is also a discipline, but here the the German participants were not allowed to take part on medical advice because it would not have been beneficial for our rehabilitation.

Did you achieve your goals for The Hague? In which disciplines did you compete in and how much training did you do beforehand?

I achieved my goals because I didn't really have any goals. I just wanted to be there - I trained, of course, but not at competition level. I competed in the 100-metre sprint, 200-metre sprint, discus throw and indoor rowing. I train every day in the gym, but the 7th day, I always say,

belongs to my wife.

Did it take courage and courage to compete in the INVICTUS GAMES to be a part of it?

Every participant has to muster their courage and everyone has different trigger points in their life - all it takes is a banging door or that there are a lot of people. Of course, it is difficult to go into a stadium where there are thousands of spectators. I myself have adopted a mode where I am the protector as the team captain - all my life I have been a sub-leader, squad leader, platoon leader, company commander - you take on a role like that. After the games, however, I realised how tense I had been.

Vocko with Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan  ©Vocko

©IG23

Do you actually have a connection to Düsseldorf?

Yes of course, I was stationed in Cologne and I liked the proximity to Düsseldorf. Yes, it's a great city and the Games will be world class. The Germans are very particular about their planning, but the whole world knows that an event planned by Germans will always be great.

In another interview you said that you learned self-discipline in the Bundeswehr and that this helped you a lot in healing?

I am an airborne paramedic, which means the paramedic in the team and you are responsible for the whole company. You have to lead as a role model, otherwise you can't help the other person. I joined the military when I was 18 and the tough basic training in 1996 was shaping and challenging for me. The Bundeswehr has a different system - you always have to be among the best to get one of the rare positions. I started as a crew soldier and wanted to become a sergeant - then an officer. I always pushed myself and imposed self-discipline on myself. My therapists say that because of this self-discipline I am making very good progress in my therapy. In this context, I would like to tell you about relaxation therapy according to Jacobson. As a soldier, I have been doing this every evening before going to sleep for 5 years and it helps me totally.

As team captain, do you pass on this healing advice or what is your job?

We have a wide range of individuals and ranks, from corporals to off-duty generals. Everyone benefits from everyone and every opinion counts. We exchange ideas - I tell about my 1638 days of foreign service and experienced participants give their rehabilitation tips.

"The games are an important element in one's rehabilitation process."

What exactly is the preparation for Düsseldorf like now? Do you meet to train together?

We don't know yet which team will be competing in Düsseldorf. Personally, I am keeping fit and hope that the call will come. But I also hope that other servicemen and women will have the chance to take part in the Games, because the Games are an important building block in their own rehabilitation process. For some, this path can lead to recovery, while others - especially those with mental illness - learn to cope better with their condition. The training camps take place in Warendorf. We were lucky that we had a total of 8 training camps through Corona. The new team will probably have fewer training camps until the Games start in autumn 2023.

Probably the Games are an experience you live on for a lifetime.

I'm actually a tough guy, paratrooper, company commander - but I've never lost so many tears of joy as I did in The Hague. Such an emotional event, where I met many heroes; that has never happened before in my life.

"Prince Harry brought the Games into the world because he had served in the field and saw how the soldiers suffered from their wounds."

I don't think there has ever been an international event where soldiers from all countries have united like this?

Prince Harry brought the Games into the world because he had served in the field and saw how the soldiers suffered from their wounds. Then the INVICTUS GAMES Foundation was established with him as patron. Since the London Games 8 years ago, he has been inviting people internationally. I believe every word he says - as team captain I met him very often and talked to him for a long time, also about my family, without cameras being there - he is a great guy.

"We lacked recognition and we are now experiencing a change in society."

What effect do the Games have on the public and their media attention? What support measures would you like to see?

The Armed Forces allow participation if you have achieved some steps on the road to recovery. As an example, an overweight soldier was told: 'If you lose 5 kilos, we'll take you with us. 'Like a gift you work on every day. A small step on the way to being able to live better with the disease. Because I will never get healthy. In other ways, it is also a gesture of gratitude to our families and friends. In my case, I took 2 friends to the games I was in the field with - they are grateful to this day to have witnessed it.

"I thought it was great that there was so much media attention because most of us feel that recognition is lacking. We who fought in Afghanistan; as our Defence Minister said, we defended freedom in the Hindu Kush. These are platitudes in the media, but it is true."

We have lost many comrades in the operations. I was in Afghanistan 3 times and served in the JOC/ Joint Operation Centre and every day we had a death of an international soldier. The Americans had many losses, the British, the Norwegians, we Germans. I think it's sad when the public doesn't know about it. But I have noticed a change in the public. I ride a lot of trains in uniform and people thank me during the Ukraine crisis for protecting people. I hope that with Düsseldorf 2023, this message will be carried on and reach even more in Germany - that being a soldier is an honourable profession.

Dear Vocko, would you like to send a message?

If you ever meet the soldiers on the street - just approach them - we don't bite - we are happy to be approached and also if you want to know what's on our mind....

Learn more about Vocko on his Instagram account

I_am_vocko

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The interview was conducted by C. Mauer

19 May 2022