Prince Harry's Invictus Games criticized for replacing traditional weapons with laser guns.

The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, is facing criticism over a modification to one of its competitions.

The first Winter Invictus Games will occur in Vancouver, Canada, from February 8th to 16th, and the biathlon competition, which involves cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, will replace rifles with laser guns.

Optic rifles are unique in that they are safer, more reliable, and accessible to all levels of expertise, including those used in the Paralympic Games and major international competitions.

The biathlon sleds are accessible to a wide range of people with disabilities, including visually impaired competitors. They provide a significant safety advantage over live fire ammo, making them ideal for novices. As a Games legacy, future users can enjoy biathlon without the risks and environmental impact associated with live fire ammo.

Christopher Bryde, a U.S. Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan and lost both legs below the knee due to injuries from an IED, felt the change in the sport affected him. According to FieldSports News, Bryde stated, "We encountered some challenges with the cold and malfunctioning laser guns. Additionally, the snow made it difficult to see some of the targets."

For instance, I hit all five targets flawlessly, but in the sixth lap, I missed one. We then examined the gun and discovered that a layer of snow had accumulated on the laser lens.

The Invictus Games refuted Bryde's allegations of snow blocking targets and lenses, stating that officials would be present on-site to ensure the rifles were ready.

Numerous individuals online expressed their opposition to the adoption of a laser weapon.

"From 2014 to 2024, this issue wasn't relevant, but now it is?" someone asked on X.

The interview with Bryde on FieldSports News received negative comments, with some calling the change a "moronic woke idea" and "ridiculous liberal nonsense."

The Invictus Games and the Paris 2024 Olympic Pentathlon event both replaced rifles with lasers in their respective sports competitions.

In 2014, Prince Harry established The Invictus Games, a sports competition for military personnel with injuries or illnesses. The inaugural event took place in September of that year at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Before the start of the first winter games, Prince Harry was in Los Angeles and met with firefighters from the Salinas Fire Department and their rescue dogs.

The Salinas Fire Department shared on social media that Cruz and Taffy, their facility dogs, have been assisting in the fight against the LA fires, providing support to firefighters and affected communities. In a remarkable turn of events, they also got to meet Prince Harry, who is known for his philanthropic work and advocacy on various social issues, including disaster relief.

Their morale was boosted and the significance of community and collaboration in overcoming challenges was highlighted by the encounter.