Invictus Games ‘I AM’ Signs Return to the UK Ahead of Birmingham 2027: Symbolic Moment as Two-Year Countdown Builds

 The Invictus Games ‘I AM’ signs have safely arrived to the United Kingdom after an intrepid journey that began in Vancouver. These unique signs, an integral part of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, were officially collected from the Canadian organising committee by the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada and transported back to the UK on the 21st of May.  

The ‘I AM’ signs, a central part of the Invictus Games’ identity, are not just physical items but carry deep emotional and symbolic significance.  

Drawn from the last two lines of the Invictus poem by William Henley: I am the Master of my Fate, I am the Captain of my Soul, these signs represent the resilience of service members, their commitment to their recovery, and the strength of the wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women who participate in the Games.  

As part of a coordinated effort by the British Army, the signs were carefully transported firstly from Vancouver to Halifax CFB, where the signs were then loaded onboard onto a Royal Air Force C17 Globemaster III Aircraft to begin their journey back to the UK. 

Upon arrival, the signs were offloaded from the aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, in the presence of representatives from the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 Executive Team, including Navy Captain and Deputy Director Programmes & Impact Delivery for Birmingham 2027 Lee Hazard.  

Hazard said, “Despite the late hour, the atmosphere at RAF Brize Norton was filled with quiet pride and importance as the iconic signs were carefully offloaded. The moment marked not just a logistical handover, but a symbolic step on the road to Birmingham 2027. Members of the RAF squadron who operated the flight reflected on how the presence of the signs sparked meaningful conversations onboard about the power and meaning of the Invictus Games”.  

Commenting on the event, Wing Commander Nicola Lofthouse, Officer Commanding 99 Squadron, said: “It was a huge privilege for 99 Squadron to be able to support the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 by transporting these impressive signs from Canada where they were used earlier this year back to the UK. The Games have a big impact on the Armed Forces community, and it’s something the crew of our C-17 flying them home will have been proud to support. The C-17 plays a significant role in strategic aeromedical evacuation and some of those competing may have started their recovery journeys on the aircraft.  99 Squadron and RAF Brize Norton were pleased to play a part in their journey.”  
 
The signs now remain in the excellent care of the RAF Medical Services at the Tactical Medical Wing, reflecting the poignance of a patient’s journey to recovery. They will soon make their ways to new locations across the UK to stand as a visible and timely symbol of the Games’ powerful mission - to empower wounded, injured, and sick service personnel from around the world as masters of their own fate.  

The ‘I AM’ signs’ return to the UK comes at a time that marks the official start of the two-year countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, whilst also reflecting on the successes of the work of the Invictus Games Foundation over the last decade. As the road to Birmingham 2027 unfolds, their presence in the UK reaffirms the unwavering support of the Armed Forces, the Invictus Games Foundation, and a united community determined to make Birmingham 2027 a Games to remember.