Invictus Games 2018 supporter's shirt: Mrs Carmen Bell

Place Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Sydney
Accession Number AWM2019.769.1
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Polyester
Maker CS91 Sportswear
Place made China
Date made c 2018
Conflict Period 2010-2019
Description

Green and gold short sleeved Invictus Games 2018 polo shirt with horizontal striped pattern. Over the right breast is printed an Australian National Flag with 'INVICTUS GAMES/ SYDNEY 2018' printed over the left breast. The sleeves are printed with the logos of official supporters. On the right sleeve is ‘RSL LifeCare’ with the Australian Defence Force tri-service logo printed on the left sleeve. The reverse is printed with 'AUS' in navy and gold below a gold southern cross. The shirt fastens at the neck with three plastic buttons.



History / Summary

This Invictus Games Sydney 2018 supporter's t-shirt was worn by Mrs Carmen Bell, wife of Warrant Officer Class Two Graham Bell, as she watched her husband compete in the Games. Graham Bell competed in archery (the male open recurve category) against 24 shooters where he placed eleventh after the first round and eliminated by a Polish competitor in the following knockout round.

After initially taken up archery in the 1970's Bell rediscovered it in 2016 after competing in the Wounded Warriors games trials. In 2018 Bell was invited to compete at the Marine Corps Trials in North Carolina where he won gold for Australia before being selected to represent Australia in the Sydney Invictus Games. At 58 Bell was Australia's oldest competitor.

In the lead up to the Invictus Games Carmen offered Graham practical support during his training by taking photos and videos of him so he could see his technique. This footage was also reviewed by Invictus coaches to provide feedback, remotely as well as at training camps.