Invictus Games a life changing experience for local volunteer

By Lethbridge Herald on February 22, 2025.

Submitted photo - Lori Harasem (third from right, front row) along with her fellow indoor rowing volunteer team and a number of rowing officials backstage following the end of the competition.

Sam Leishman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Witnessing the incredible power of sport first-hand at this year’s Invictus Games was life changing for Lori Harasem.

The Lethbridge resident was chosen among more than 5,000 applications to volunteer at the international athletic competition that was hosted in the Vancouver area between Feb. 8 and 16.

The Invictus Games were founded back in 2014 by Prince Harry, who served in the British Royal Army for ten years throughout his 20s. Every two years, wounded service personnel from around the world compete not only for medals, but for the ultimate reward of supporting each other in the physical and mental struggles they’ve faced since combat.

There were eleven events this year, including sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, curling and rugby, skiing and snowboarding, swimming and more.

After patiently waiting nearly ten months for her application to be approved, Harasem was assigned to the Sport Team Supervisor position. She was responsible for a group of volunteers that kept the games flowing smoothly behind the scenes, from personally assisting athletes with various tasks around BC Place Stadium to attending to courtside duties that would ensure that the playing fields were safe and clean.

Harasem is an athlete herself, most familiar with running, swimming and indoor rowing. She says she’s a strong believer in adaptable sports to ensure everyone has a chance to participate, and it was fascinating for her to learn how it’s done at this high level of competition.

“Every rowing competitor had a seat that worked for them, whether they had an amputated arm or leg and required special support, they still were able to row,” Harasem recalled. “Watching these sport experts that create the equipment and how quickly they could change out the rowing machine seats and be ready for each person was just phenomenal.”

However, it was the mental side of the games and the outstanding level of sportsmanship among the athletes that Harasem says touched her the most. She currently works as Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Health Promotion Coordinator and says she was able to draw from that experience of supporting others through mental illness to connect with the athletes that were braving invisible injuries, like post-traumatic stress disorder.

“There is competition, there are medals, but everybody there has experienced some really dark places in their life,” she said through tears. “They were there to support each other to find new purpose and meaning and a sense of belonging.”

Volunteering runs deep for Harasem, who has offered her time and talents for countless events and was also once responsible for the grants that fund local events as the Recreation and Culture Development Manager for city hall. She says she’s drawn to opportunities that can push her beyond even what she thinks she can accomplish, and hopes she can inspire others to do the same.

“Everybody has skills and knowledge and talent that are beneficial,” Harasem says. “Being part of something where you see people grow and you see the improvement to people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and can add to that through the gift of time, it truly is a win-win. Everybody is nervous, that’s just normal. [At] a good event or a good volunteer experience, you will have support and training. Pretty soon you’re going to be the one that’s encouraging everybody else to join you because you’ll fall in love with it.”

Harasem adds that she’s already submitted an expression of interest to volunteer at the 2027 Invictus Games that will be hosted in Birmingham, England.