Three Canberrans will represent their country in their debut Invictus Games.

The event uses the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and ill current and former servicemen and women.

The games will be held in Whistler, in Canada from 8 to 16 February with 550 sportspeople from 25 nations taking part.

Royal Australian Navy retiree Luke McCallum will compete in indoor rowing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.

Currently serving Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Belinda Culley will compete in indoor rowing, Nordic skiing, sitting volleyball and swimming.

RAAF retiree Tricia Reynolds will compete in Alpine skiing, indoor rowing, skeleton and wheelchair basketball.

Luke said the hardest sport to train for was skeleton, which involves plummeting head-first down a steep and treacherous ice track on a tiny sled.

“There’s no real way to train for that because we don’t have the facilities (in Australia),” he said.

“For skeleton, it’s about getting into the gym and working on everything to make sure that you can hold yourself off the ice.

“It’s super exciting though, I’ve never done anything remotely like it.”

But it’s the indoor rowing Luke is most excited about, which he took up 18 months ago.

“Indoor rowing is the constant for me that I’ve kept doing,” he said.

“It was the gateway for me to get into the ADF Adaptive Sports Program.

“That’s what got me going after the amputation five or so years ago; I couldn’t do anything because I didn’t have the confidence to get out, but something happened when I started rowing.”

Luke said he was excited and nervous about the upcoming games. Belinda agreed.

She said it was incredible to compete with and meet other military personnel from around the world.

“We’re very like-minded and I think the reasons why we join and why we want to serve our nation, is that everyone has a story.

“One of the highlights for me is that it’s given me a broader perspective and appreciation for just my blessings and for how lucky I am—that everyone’s got a story, and everyone’s journey has been challenging.

“It’s good to bring like-minded people together who are continuing to serve their nations.”

Tricia echoed Belinda’s sentiments.

“I just sit there thinking it’s like going to Germany and you meet an Australian at the bar and you start talking and you’re both from the same school or something like that,” she said.

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