Yahoo News Royal Navy hosts Strength of Spirit Games on Plymouth Hoe
The Strength of Spirit Games Rehabilitation Triathlon, featuring service athletes from across the UK and international participants from the USA and The Netherlands, has made a triumphant return to Plymouth Hoe as part of Armed Forces Week in the city.
Under the blazing sun and soaring temperatures, spectators were treated to a spectacle of service personnel on recovery duties and veterans competing in swimming, cycling and rowing events across the Hoe.
Teams included international representatives from the United States Marine Corps and Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. Commander Claire Lees, from the Royal Navy Recover and Resilience HQ, said: “The Rehabilitation Triathlon is an opportunity for individuals facing their own challenges due to illness and injury, to come together as a community.
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“The competitors encourage each other to achieve their personal goals with a sense of friendly competition and camaraderie. Being able to share this event with the incredible community in Plymouth is a real pleasure and privilege and we’re incredibly grateful for all the support.”
This year's events have also been expanded to include The Plymouth School Sports Partnership Junior Rowing Challenge. This new addition saw 150 pupils from 25 primary schools competing in a demanding rowing challenge on Plymouth Hoe for the first time.
Presenting the winners with their medals were the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Tina Touhy, and Commodore Suzi Nielson RN.
Plymouth's Lord Mayor, Councillor Tina Tuohy, expressed her pride in the city's military history and its Armed Forces. She said: "We are very proud of our military history and our Armed Forces based in the city.
"It's a privilege to be able to watch the Strength of Spirit Games and celebrate Armed Forces Day, both on Plymouth Hoe. I invite the people of Plymouth to come along to these spectacular events and show your support to our Armed Forces community."
