Peter Lawless Announced as Chief Executive Officer of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, we are pleased to announce that Peter Lawless will step into the role of Chief Executive Officer, Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 effective November 1, 2022.

Highly respected in Canadian sport, Peter has devoted his life to the Olympic and Paralympic movement, helping athletes realize their potential and achieve their dreams. A former Vice President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and current Director of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Peter has been responsible for helping to shape the strategy and direction for sport in Canada, ensuring continued podium success and the advancement of Olympic and Paralympic values throughout the Canadian sporting community.

Deeply involved with the Canadian Forces’ program for ill and injured service personnel, SoldierOn, Peter has been a part of every Invictus Games since 2016 in roles from serving as the Head Coach of the Canadian Team to being a key member of the bid committee that was awarded the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

“It is in extraordinary privilege to be chosen to lead the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. I look forward to delivering a Games in 2025 that welcomes all to our inspiring winter environment. These Games will create a compelling legacy of impact, innovation and community and be ever mindful of the peoples on whose lands we play. These Games will embed a true spirit of Reconciliation in everything we do as we embark on this shared journey of recovery.”

– Peter Lawless, Chief Executive Officer, Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025

“We are thrilled that someone of Peter’s deep history and involvement with both the sporting world and the Invictus Games has come on board to lead the team for 2025. His passion, determination and strategic mindset will ensure that these Games are a truly memorable experience not only for Canada but for the ill and injured service members of all participating nations.”

– Nick Booth, CEO, True Patriot Love and Chair, 2025 Invictus Games bid committee

As an athlete, a Chartered Professional Coach and an administrator, Peter believes in using the power of sport to change lives. A recipient of BC’s Medal of Good Citizenship (2017) and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) Peter is a four-time winner of the National Coaching Excellence Award and was B.C.’s Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2012. Having worked with athletes and coaches at every level in sport from grassroots to high performance, Peter is one of the most respected coaches in Canadian sport. Peter’s athletes have broken 28 world records and won 15 Paralympic and World Championships medals.

As a lawyer Peter has provided legal representation to sports organizations, athletes and coaches involved in doping, selection and other sports related disputes and presently serves as an arbitrator for the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. He has also appeared as counsel before the International Court of Arbitration for Sport centered in Lausanne, Switzerland. Additionally, Peter has published articles on harassment and morality in sport and taught post-secondary courses in dispute resolution, civil procedure & drafting and ethics in sport. He is also a frequent presenter at Continuing Legal Education seminars.