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The heartwarming moment that brought the Invictus Games crowd to tears.

 

A heartfelt show of camaraderie after one Invictus Games athlete was overcome by emotion brought everyone watching to tears.

The Games wheelchair tennis got underway on Monday and a capacity crowd got to witness the extraordinary moment of teamwork and compassion.

Teammates Paul Guest and Edwin Vermetten had only known each other a few days. Image: Getty.

Teammates Paul Guest from the United Kingdom and Edwin Vermetten from the Netherlands were playing a tight match against Team USA when play was interrupted by the sound of a helicopter flying overhead.

Guest was visibly upset by the sound, so much so that he was unable to continue playing.

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His teammate Vermetten, who he had just met a few days ago, saw Guest struggling and rushed across the court to comfort him in an incredible moment that shows the true spirit of the Games.

They held a lengthy conversation as they embraced - a moment that left spectators in tears.

Following their conversation, Guest recovered and was able to continue the game. Incredibly, Guest delivered the match-winning serve.

Paul Guest Invictus Games
Legend. Image: Getty.
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Speaking to media after the match, Vermetten said Guest was able to continue thanks to an unlikely song: Let It Go from Disney's Frozen.

"I took him by the face and said 'Look at me. We are a team so let it go'," said Vermetten.

"'Look into my eyes and sing the 'Frozen' song', and we did.

"For him, this was the moment he let go, and he did, he literally let it all go."

Guest also competed in the IHB1 Men's Road Cycling Time Trial on day two of the Games in Sydney and took part in last year's event in Canada.

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Paul Guest Invictus Games
Paul Guest also competed in the IHB1 Men's Road Cycling Time Trial. Image: Getty.

The Clacton Gazette reported the former Navy serviceman toured Northern Ireland and other countries as a mine warfare specialist.

His neck and spine were injured on duty in 1987. As a result he has partial deafness, a visibility impairment, incontinence and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Guest suffered from depression and tried to commit suicide four times.

"On the fourth occasion when I tried to commit suicide, my wife literally dragged me off to get help," he told the Clacton Gazette.

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"She contacted Help for Heroes, I became a Band of Brother and the rest is history."

He said the Invictus Games have given him something to aim for.

"Pulling on the Invictus Games uniform is like pulling on my Navy uniform. I feel part of a team again, like I belong. I’m proud to be representing my country once again."

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