An active duty Marine from San Diego is in Sydney, Australia competing in games that bring together wounded and injured armed service personnel and veterans from 18 countries.
Corporal Kira Lavine, 21, is one of 500 competitors selected to participate in the Invictus Games. The games were established by Prince Harry in 2015.
There are 11 adaptive sporting events total like wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, swimming, sitting volleyball, track and field, and sitting golf.
To be eligible to compete, participants had to qualify in trials before the games.
"I submitted an application with my times from trials and a statement of why I would want to be part of the Invictus team," said Cpl. Lavine. "And then I was selected."
Cpl. Lavine is competing in swimming, rowing, and sailing. The 2018 games are from October 20-27.
"For swimming, I was first place in the 100 free and first place for the 200 female relay," said Cpl. Lavine. She also won silver and bronze medals.
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Participants can qualify due to mental health as well. Cpl. Lavine said for anyone suffering from mental health issues, it is important to talk to someone.
"There are people or programs out there to help you," she added.
Cpl. Lavine is originally from Rancho Peñasquitos and is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton. She is the youngest person on Team USA to compete.
