Team Canada athletes counting down to Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler

In recent weeks, BC Place has hosted the Grey Cup and the biggest musical act on the planet – and soon, the opening ceremonies of the Invictus Games will take over the venue.

"The power of showing up cannot be overstated. When you fill a seat at the Invictus Games, you're not just a spectator. You become part of an important shared journey of recovery,” said Scott Moore, CEO of the week-long competition for wounded, injured and sick soldiers.

For the first time, the games will include winter sports such as alpine skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.

More than 500 athletes from 23 different countries are scheduled to participate from Feb. 8-16.

"The Invictus Games helped me realize that life does not end with the injury. It's just the beginning,” said Team Canada’s Robert Pullen, who uses a wheelchair after being injured during the Medak Pocket Battle while serving in Croatia.

Some of the athletes have invisible injuries, such as PTSD.

That’s the case for Assunta Aquino, a retired combat engineer who was deployed in the former Yugoslavia.

"The Invictus Games has really brought me back to my people. The people who understand without having to say a word,” said Aquino, who will compete in alpine skiing and sitting volleyball. “And you just support each other. You just love."

The games are supported by close to 200 volunteers, including 18-year-old twins Nikhil and Emil Damji who coach adaptive skiing.

"Then we heard about Invictus Games coming to Vancouver and we're super-excited to put our skills that we've learned from volunteering with a lot of adaptive skiers to use,” said Nikhil. “And that kind of inspired us to want to do this and go to the next level."

The $60-million budget for the games includes $15-million each from the federal and provincial governments.

Sponsorships, donations, and ticket and merchandise sales will cover the balance.

There is also a $5-million legacy fund for accessibility and adaptive sports equipment.

"Return on investment is return on inspiration. How do you put a price on the value of information that these wonderful competitors, their family and friends, will bring into our community,” said Renee Smith-Valde, an advisor to the games’ CEO.

Katy Perry and Nelly Furtado will perform at the opening ceremony, along with “one more global superstar” organizers say will be announced next month.