Getting ready for the games

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This article was published 11/07/2023 (844 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

First responders from across the world will make their way to Winnipeg to compete in 2023 World Police and Fire Games that take place across the city from July 28 to Aug. 6.

The WPF games are a multi-sport event that will see thousands of police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders from nearly 70 countries compete in 62 different sports.

The games will be the largest sporting event ever hosted by Manitoba in terms of participation with more than 8,500 athletes taking part. Chief operating officer Mike Edwards has had the pleasure of organizing the games.

“It’s been a combination of excitement and challenge all the way through with the team we have brought together to push this over the finish line,” said Edwards. “It is a massive undertaking to bring together.”

Events will be hosted at 41 different venues over the course of the 10-day event. Venues include the University of Manitoba’s Investors Group Athletic Center, St. Vital Curling Club and Pan Am Pool to name only a few. While securing that number of venues was a challenge, Edwards said that the venues’ willingness to work with them facilitated the process.

“The venues have been very responsive, very supportive, very understanding. They are great to work with to determine what’s the best way to deliver this event,” said the COO.

Edwards is no stranger to big events having contributed to events like the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. These games are a different beast, even for someone of Edwards’ experience. Two main differences between the WPF games and other sporting events are number of sports as well as the athlete base.

“There is no other multi-sport event in the world that has this many venues or this many sports. Sixty-three sports is more than twice the amount of the next closest multi-sport event when it comes to the number of sports. So scope and scale and not having a built-in athlete base where you have to recruit them are the two main differences.”

As opposed to an event like the Olympics or the Women’s World Cup, Edwards and his team had to recruit competitors for the WPF games.

“We have to recruit the athletes, so we have to identify why should they come here, why should they participate, why should they be a part of the World Police and Fire Games,” said Edwards.

Winnipeg as a host city was also an exciting aspect to the games for Edwards.

“(Winnipeg) offers a very unique experience as a prairie city. So many different attractions, so many different ways to experience the prairies and experience the region of Winnipeg and in addition to that, they offer one of the most welcoming communities and welcoming spirits that these games will have ever experienced.”

The fan experience is a unique one at the WPF games. Edwards says the games prioritize camaraderie and sportsmanship and they give the public a chance to watch and appreciate first responders from across the globe participate in fun, competitive and healthy events. Also, as an added bonus, it is free admission for all spectators.

“All of these sports are free to watch and they can expect high level competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship above all else,” said Edwards.

“First responders go through a heck of a lot on the job that a lot of us as civilians have no idea about, so providing an opportunity where they can come together, have that camaraderie, connect with first responders from around the world and understand they are in the same situation… and do it in a sport environment so its about their health and wellness both physically and mentally. (This) is the basis of what these games are about.”

donald.stewart@freepress.mb.ca