Prince Harry’s Invictus Games is facing backlash over a key change to one of its events.
The first Winter Invictus Games is set to take place in Vancouver, Canada, from Feb 8 to 16, and the biathlon event, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, is ditching the rifles for “laser” guns.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Amy Haken, Senior Manager of Sport at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, explained “We’re using Ecoaim optic (infrared beam) rifles (not laser rifles) at the Invictus Games 2025 Vancouver Whistler. Optic rifles are widely used for their enhanced safety, reliability, and wide accessibility from novice to elite levels, including at the Paralympic Games and major international competitions.”
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Prince Harry’s first ever Winter Invictus Games is being criticized online for ditching rifles in favor of laser guns in the biathlon event. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
She continued, “They can be used by a broad range of people with disabilities — including visually impaired competitors — and offer a significant range safety advantage given most of our Competitors are novices.”
U.S. Marine veteran Christopher Bryde, who served in Afghanistan and lost both of his legs below the knee following injuries from an IED, felt the change impacted the sport, however, telling FieldSports News, “We had a couple of issues with the cold and some of the [laser] guns just not working. Also, snow seemed to obstruct some of the targets.”
Bryde continued, “For example, I shot perfectly for five laps and then in one lap I only hit one target. And then we checked out the gun and there was a bit of snow covering… the laser thing [lens].”
Marine veteran Christopher Bryde said in an interview that snow obstructed the targets and lenses of the laser rifles. (Jeff Vinnick/Invictus Games)
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Haken addressed Bryde’s concern in the organization’s statement, writing, “Our sport team will ensure the Ecoaim optic rifles and targets are maintained to ensure optimal Competitor performance in both training and competition. As a Games legacy, future users will be able to experience biathlon without the safety risks and environmental impact associated with live fire ammunition.”
Across the internet, many people voiced their disagreement with the switch.
“So from 2014 -2024 this wasn’t an issue but it is now??” one person questioned on X.
Online critics sided with Bryde’s complaint, calling the decision to use laser guns “a moronic woke idea.” (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
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In the comments on FieldSports News’ interview with Bryde, people commented negatively, calling the change “a moronic woke idea” and “ridiculous liberal nonsense.”
The Invictus Games isn’t the first sports competition to ditch rifles. The Paris 2024 Olympic Pentathlon event also used lasers instead of pistols.
Prince Harry founded The Invictus Games in 2014, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. The first Invictus Games was held in September 2014 at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
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Ahead of the inaugural winter games, Prince Harry was in Los Angeles, where he met with firefighters from the Salinas Fire Department and their rescue dogs.
In a post shared on social media, the fire department wrote, “Cruz and Taffy, Facility Dog’s with the Salinas Fire Dept, along with their friends, have been actively assisting in the efforts to combat the LA fires, providing much-needed support to firefighters and affected communities. In an inspiring turn of events, they also had the opportunity to meet Prince Harry, who is known for his philanthropic work and advocacy on various social issues, including disaster relief.”
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They continued, “This encounter not only boosted their morale but also emphasized the importance of community and collaboration in the face of such devastating challenges.”
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