The Invictus Games, derived from the Latin term for “Unconquered,” was established by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, to support wounded, sick, and injured service members and veterans from armed forces across the globe.

Aussie Invictus athlete Dave Miln powers through the biathlon circuit at Whistler Olympic Park, Canada.  Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

This year’s 10th Anniversary edition of the Games took place in Vancouver and Whistler.  And for the first time the Games included several winter sports.  Over 500 competitors from 23 countries competed over 11 days in Biathlon, Curling, Cross Country, Downhill, Skeleton and Snowboarding; as well as the core sports of Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Swimming, Indoor Rowing and Sitting Volleyball.

Biathlon Australia’s National Team Member Lieutenant Commander Dave Miln was one of 33 athletes selected to represent Australia.  And Dave had the added bonus of being Australia’s Flag Bearer at the opening ceremony.

"It was an incredible honour,” said Dave, “to lead this team of remarkable athletes into that arena under the Australian Flag 2 years after the accident in which I lost my legs".

Over 100 athletes elected to participate in Biathlon and Cross Country over 1 day of intense competition at Whistler Olympic Park.  Athletes ranged from those with physical and/or mental injuries to those that had never seen snow before.  Whilst others had participated in World Cups and Paralympic Games.  Due to the number of athletes and varying degrees of ability athletes were divided into beginner and advanced divisions; the difference being determined as to whether or not an athlete had spent less or more than 7 days on the snow before.  

Biathlete Dave Miln is a picture of concentration as he takes aim.  Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

The race circuit was a 750m loop around the Biathlon Range for Beginners and a 1.5km sprint for Advanced.  EcoAim laser rifles were the gun of choice.

All countries were given a 90 minute practice slot the day prior in order to familiarise themselves with the circuit, weapons and range.  On completion a timed flying lap was conducted by all for seeding.

The day of competition was a crispy minus 17 degrees Celsius bluebird day; rising to a balmy minus 9 by the afternoon – just in time for the Biathlon races.  Australia had a team of 13 participating in Nordic, split between cross country in the morning and biathlon in the afternoon (competitors could only do one or the other due to the large numbers and a single day of competition).

The Australian team performed well with one Gold Medal in Beginners Cross Country going to Captain Olivia Miley-Dyer and a Silver Medal to Lieutenant Commander Dave Miln in the Advanced Biathlon.

Dave at full gas on his way to a silver medal. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

“The flying lap on training day seeded me as the second fastest, losing out to Marco Piso of Italy a current World Cup and Paralympian athlete,” explained Dave.  “Come the day of the race my skiing was there and I was holding level with Marco around the circuit. We both levelled with a clean shoot on the first circuit however on the second Marco missed 3 and I missed 5 giving him the edge to the finish line. A frustrating but exciting day, I look forward to seeing Marco on the snow in the future at World Cups and hopefully the Paralympics with a zeroed rifle!

“Needless to say the team wouldn't have been able to achieve what they did without the support of Family and Friends, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Sports Cell, ADF Biathlon and Curtis Steiger the AUS Team Nordic Lead for Invictus Games 2025."

Biathlon Australia is super proud of Dave’s achievement and together with Paralympics Australia is currently in the planning phase for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games – which open on 6 March 2026 in the Arena di Verona, and will showcase around 600 athletes competing in 79 medal events across six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.

Dave set to win one of his 4 golds in the pool.  Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

In addition to Dave’s silver in Biathlon, he also won 4 golds in the pool (50m free, 100m free, 50m breast stroke, 50m backstroke) and a silver in the mixed relay.  Dave’s legendary performance placed him joint 2nd highest individual medal score and Australia came 3rd in the medal tally overall (19 gold, 12 silver & 5 bronze).

We wish Dave and every other Paralympic aspirant all the very best in their preparations for Milano Cortina and the pursuit of gold in 2026.

Dave’s incredible haul of 5 gold & 2 silver.  Photo by Dave Miln.