‘Before he started Invictus he would just hide in the wardrobe’
For the children and grandchildren of Invictus Games competitors, watching the competition is a source of pride, tears and raw emotion.
Some have seen the effect that military service has had on their family, and how sport has lifted their loved one's spirits.
So how does it feel to be a kid, and watch a family member in the spotlight?
Danyan, Australia
Danyan Jones, 13, has travelled from Ballina in northern NSW to watch his stepfather compete in wheelchair rugby and tennis.
"It's really proud watching him because when I watch him I feel like that's what I want to do," Danyan said.
"When we first met him, I would always say 'I want to join the army when I grow up'."
For Danyan, the transformation Invictus has wrought in his stepfather is clear, and a huge relief.
"It's a really good feeling because before he started Invictus he would just hide in the wardrobe," he said.
"But then he started going to Invictus and he's out playing wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis some weekends and yeah — it's a really big relief to watch him do that.
"He used to just hide at home, wouldn't talk much, would just stay home all day but now he's been going out, he's been socialising, he's been catching up with friends.
"He's out of the house a lot; he's been going fishing with people."
Shaelyn, Canada
Six-year-old Shaelyn Jones has come from Saskatchewan, Canada, to watch her father compete.
Despite feeling a "bit too sweaty" in the Australian heat, Shaelyn said she loved watching her father in action.
"I'm here to watch my dad, Michael Richards," she said.
"He is doing wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and biking."
One of her proudest moments has been her father making it to the finals in a cycling event.
"It was a lot of work for him to be doing the biking, because he was going really fast," she said.
"It feels happiness — I just feel happy."
"I can see that he likes it; he's enjoying himself."
Tyler, New Zealand
Tyler Harimate has come from Nelson, on New Zealand's South Island, to watch his grandfather.
"He's doing wheelchair rugby, basketball, indoor rowing, archery and cycling," Tyler said.
His grandfather has been doing well, although Tyler doesn't recall his grandfather doing much preparation.
"In the indoor rowing he came 14th, in [both] the four-minute [endurance] and the one-minute [sprint]," he said.
"I haven't seen him do any training but he's very fit and very fiddle.
"I feel proud of him to be doing it because he's doing sports that he's never done before and he's trying new things."
Gabe and Colt, USA
For six-year-old Gabe Collins and two-year-old brother, Colt, watching their dad complete in the cycling arena makes them happy.
"Happy, because he's going to win," Gabe said.
"He's showing nobody to quit."
"He is a winner."
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ABC .net
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