THE Invictus Games, an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event just held in Canada, demonstrated the remarkable spirit of Armed Forces personnel who are not only determined to recover from horrific injuries, but to battle back to a high degree of fitness.

It’s impossible for ordinary mortals, like most of us, to imagine what it must be like to be caught in an explosion and then wake up in hospital to be given terrible, life-changing news.

One competitor in the Games was former paratrooper Scott Meenagh, who lost his legs fighting in Afghanistan. Before flying to Canada, he visited Erskine Home for ex-service veterans, where he met up with proud ex-Navy man Jimmy Groat of Gourock.

The residents warmly welcomed brave Scott, who typifies the indomitable approach of everyone taking part in the Games, which have inspired them to recover from their ordeals and challenge them to excel at various sports.

Prince Harry deserves the highest praise for creating the Games, which were launched three years ago with his belief that they would “demonstrate the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and demonstrate life beyond disability”.

Sport motivates people of all ages and abilities. The Erskine residents, for example, may not be in the first flush of youth, but they still enjoy holding their own games and competing in determined fashion for medals.

And jovial Jimmy has promised to show his games gongs to Scott the next time he sees him!