Britain’s Prince Harry joked his butt was too small for cycling yesterday (29.04.14).
The 29-year-old royal paid a visit to wounded troops at Tedworth House recovery centre in Tidworth, Wiltshire where he met with applicants wishing to represent the British Armed Forces team in the Invictus Games – a Paralympic-style international competition for injured military veterans – and watched them in training for three of the eight events.
After having a brief try at a static handbike, he declined a challenge to try out a recumbent bike used by amputee servicemen.
Patting his backside, he laughed and said: "I haven’t got the padding for it."
Harry, who watched training sessions for wheelchair rugby and rowing, as well as the cycling, later gave a speech wishing the hopefuls luck.
He said: "I have seen how powerful sport is as a means of rebuilding confidence as well as aiding with physical rehabilitation.
"These men and women are fighters by nature. The intense physical training and competitive spirit that will be forged inside this team as they prepared to represent their country in the Invictus Games will, I hope go some way to helping the recovery not only of those who hope to be selected here today, but also inspire others along the way."
Among the people who Harry met at the event was Royal Marine Don Maclean, 36, who lost his right foot and ankle when he stepped on a roadside bomb in Afghanistan three years ago, and is hoping to compete in both wheelchair basketball and cycling.
He said: "Cycling has become a massive part of my rehabilitation.
"I wouldn’t be at the stage I’m at now without it."
The prince – who recently split from girlfriend Cressida Bonas – also watched Jonathon ‘Frenchie’ Le Galloudec win a rowing machine race, but after the former soldier asked him to try his hand, he declined.
So far, 182 people have applied to be part of the 100-strong British team, and more are expected to before the final contestants are selected in July and August.
They will compete against 12 other nations at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from September 10 to 14.
Prince Harry too skinny for cycling
