It’s amazing what can happen within a year. Dave Innes literally went from a “fill-in” flag bearer at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017 to a medal winner the following year at the 2018 Games in Australia. The North Bay native won the silver medal in the one-minute rowing event at the event which took place in Sydney, Australia in October of 2018.
"I have trained my butt off, made sacrifices, and it is showing,” said Innes after capturing his silver medal. "May the broken, may the tormented and may the dead rest easy knowing I am representing the way they should be represented."
See related: Innes wins silver at Invictus Games
For his international sports success, Innes has been named the winner of the Jack Burrows Memorial Sports Achievement Award.
Innes was paralyzed from the ribs down in a training accident at CFB Gagetown more than 25 years ago. The 47-year-old went through a long process before he was named to Team Canada. Innes also played on Canada’s Wheelchair Basketball team and took part in the Powerlifting event. “I applied and did not really think much of it, and did not hear anything back until I received my email in February of last year,” recalled Innes.
Innes was one of 40 athletes chosen to represent Canada. The Sydney Games attracted more than 500 competitors from 18 nations who competed in 11 adaptive sports in total. The Invictus Games are described as an international adaptive multi-sport event, created by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports events.
Innes also received a special send-off to the games both locally and nationally. Dozens of military personnel along with local supporters gathered outside CFB North Bay to honour him prior to his departure. He also received a signed flag from CFB North Bay. “This is overwhelming and humbling, definitely I was really nervous but it is great to see,” he said. His special send-off also included a visit with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a dressing room visit with the Ottawa Senators.
Now that the Invictus Games have ended, Innes has another goal.
That is to “amp” up his training in hopes of making Team Canada for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He believes the biggest part of this competition is being able to strive for a goal and to continue to build towards something valuable.
Innes will be presented with his award at the 39th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, May 4th at the Davedi Club.
