In the promo video for the upcoming 2023 Invictus Games, Meghan challenges Harry to a game of table tennis, but the content of the video has received negative feedback from veterans.
Many veterans within the athletes with disabilities community, including those who have participated in the Invictus Games, are upset by what they perceive as Harry and Meghan exploiting the event for personal promotion.
One veteran, Greeley, spoke out, saying, "I'm part of the larger athletes with disabilities community that includes veteran athletes with disabilities, and everyone I've spoken to is upset. It feels like Harry and Meghan are using Wounded Warriors Invictus for their own gain."
Critics argue that the closing speech in an American competition like this should have been given by one of the older veterans, especially those who may not be alive by the time of the next competition. Instead, the video features non-American individuals.
This promotional video has been deemed ableist, as it focuses more on Harry's and Meghan's activities rather than highlighting the abilities of the competitors. Promotional materials for adaptive sports usually emphasize the athletes' abilities, with able-bodied individuals appearing mainly as sponsors or providing assistance.
Being featured in promotional materials is crucial for athletes with disabilities as it can greatly impact their ability to secure funding for training, travel expenses, and equipment. Exposure through such materials can also lead to press coverage and speaking engagements, which further aid in securing necessary funding. Consequently, Harry and Meghan's focus on self-promotion undermines these opportunities for the athletes.
The video itself showcases Harry playing a series of ping pong games against veteran athletes with disabilities, progressively eliminating them until he reaches the final match against Meghan.
Approximately 70 percent of the video's duration is dedicated to Sussex self-promotion, cleverly gaining them free PR through a video that will be presented as a public service announcement. Furthermore, it is suspected that Invictus funds were used to produce this video, thereby affecting the number of resources available to support the athletes.
The underlying message conveyed by this video is disheartening. It implies that regardless of the sacrifices made and the obstacles overcome, a champion with disabilities cannot prevail against able-bodied individuals, not even someone like Harry, whose athletic skills were previously highlighted in polo, or Meghan, whose athleticism is demonstrated through her flexibility.
With the Invictus Games only 100 days away, there is still time for Harry and Meghan to focus on their preparations quietly and avoid further controversy. Perhaps they will make appearances, engage with the public, and potentially showcase their newborn, as Meghan is known for her impeccable fashion choices. It is expected that the events will be seen as virtuous, leaving little room for criticism.
For those who visit the Invictus Games Foundation site and explore the partnerships section, they will come across a familiar name: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The couple closed a $100 million deal with Netflix in 2020, and Netflix announced in January that they would be following the athletes of Prince Harry's Invictus Games for service personnel as they prepare for the 2020 Invictus Games, which were postponed to April 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
