24/08/2014
What a Man, much love n respect for the ultimate sacrifice, serving
Australia. A True n Teal Aussie.
THERE ARE NO EXCUSES........not to train or just keep healthy n fit.
From battlefield to sports field: Soldier Damien Thomlinson’s heroic journey from war injury to Invictus Games.
Damien Thomlinson lost both his legs after he injured by an improvised explosive device while serving as a soldier in Afghanistan and is now in training for the 2014 Invictus Games. Picture: Stephen Cooper
WEARING the Australian uniform means a lot to war veteran Damien Thomlinson.
He was wearing it the day his vehicle drove over a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, which cost him both of his legs and badly injured his right arm.
And he’ll be wearing it again next month, this time as a sportsman rather than an army private, when he competes in London at the 2014 Invictus Games for injured, wounded or sick servicemen and woman.
“Wearing the green and gold is important to me,” the 33-year-old former commando said.
“I can’t wait for the shock when I actually walk out there. I just love adrenalin
Since the day in April 2009 when his convoy was blown up, Mr Thomlinson has fought many battles, both physical and mental. But he is determined that nothing will beat him.
“Life isn’t a cakewalk. If it is you are not challenging yourself,” he said.
“There have been frustrating times but there was no real stage of wondering whether I’d be able to do it. It was more about how I would do it. I’m always motivated to compete with people. I really love competition of any type.”
The Invictus Games pits more than 400 competitors from 14 nations against each other. Mr Thomlinson, who will compete in shot put and seated volleyball, said his training had been intense but he was counting the days until the opening ceremony of the five-day Games on September 10
The event has a special spokesman in Prince Harry, another Afghanistan veteran.
“Prince Harry did the walk to the South Pole and it is quite clear he has that support for troops,” Mr Thomlinson said.
“That’s an amazing character trait.”
Story By:
LEIGH VAN DEN BROEKE
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH NSW, Australia.