The countdown is on for the 2023 World Police and Fire Games in Winnipeg
The 2023 World Police and Fire Games are just two years away.
Event organizers and elected officials gathered outside Winnipeg’s downtown police headquarters Wednesday to start the countdown to the 10-day event slated to start July 28, 2023.
“Two years from today, we are literally going to be seeing thousands of heroes from around the world coming to the heart of North America,” Winnipeg Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux said.
It’s the first time Winnipeg will host the World Police and Fire Games in the event’s 38-year history.
Organizers said the games, held every two years, are the second largest of their kind in the world – after the Summer Olympics.
More than 9,000 athletes from over 70 countries will compete in 60 different sporting events.
The athletes represent police and fire departments, correctional institutions, and border patrols.
“These athletes dedicate their lives to protecting the community,” Mike Edwards, the 2023 Games chief operations officer said. “We get the opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude for their dedication, selflessness, and commitment to public safety.”
Chad Swayze, the 2023 Games chairperson, is also a Winnipeg firefighter who has competed in archery at seven different games. He said he is ecstatic Winnipeg is hosting the world-class event.
“I’m extremely proud to say I was part of the group that brought these Games to Winnipeg,” Swayze told CTV News.
In addition to the athletes, Swayze expects the Games will draw upwards of 10,000 spectators from around the world – which he said will have a huge impact on Winnipeg’s post-pandemic economy.
“It’s huge for hotels, tourism, restaurants, shopping, everything – you name it,” Swayze said. “The economic impact is tens of millions of dollars.”
The 2023 World Police and Fire Games will use pre-existing sporting venues throughout the city and the Games’ website said an Athletes Village will be located at The Forks.
The opening ceremonies on July 28, 2023, are being held at IG Field.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.