Tickets have gone on sale for the Invictus Games in Sydney, with star patron Prince Harry and his new wife certain to be drawcards for the paralympic-style sporting event.
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Invictus ambassador Ian Thorpe joined Aussie team member Corporal Sonya Newman on Monday to encourage locals to get behind the October event for defence veterans.
"I want to encourage every Australian to be able to get out there and support our wounded warriors as they heal," the Olympian told reporters in Sydney.
"This is when you get to see sport really at its purest, at its very best."
Within hours of tickets going on sale, two events - wheelchair basketball and the rugby gold medal finals - sold out.
Prince Harry, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, founded the Invictus Games in 2014.
The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to Sydney for the Games, and will each receive a specially-crafted Akubra hat as part of their wedding gift from Australia.
The federal government is also contributing $10,000 to the Australian International Military Games Limited, a not-for-profit charity for the Sydney Invictus Games, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced after the May 19 wedding.
More than 500 competitors from 18 nations will compete in 11 sports, with sailing featured for the first time and free to watch on Sydney Harbour.
Cpl Newman - who competed in the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto for swimming, wheelchair basketball and indoor rowing - said unlike other sporting events Invictus inspired a profound sense of camaraderie.
"It doesn't matter where you come from, we've all sort of been through similar experiences throughout our lives so people get you," she told AAP.
Cpl Newman served in the Australian Army for nearly 17 years before she underwent simple surgery and contracted a staph infection, which resulted in an amputation above her knee.
"It was amazing competing in Toronto, the whole city got behind us and you really felt special," she said.
"Having the opportunity to see what some people overcome on a daily basis kind of makes you feel like I haven't got it so bad.
"It's very motivating."
The Games kick off on October 20 and runs for a week. Tickets start from $20 and can be purchased from the official Invictus Games website.
Australian Associated Press
