Welcoming the sporting world

The World Police and Fire Games broke the record for the largest sporting event in Northern Ireland’s history. Peter Cheney sums up another successful international event for the province.

For ten days in August, the World Police and Fire Games placed Northern Ireland in the international spotlight, with 7,000 athletes and their supporters receiving a warm local welcome. In the wake of the G8 summit, the province again proved that it could successfully host a major international gathering and, in the main, present itself in a positive light. The World Police and Fire Games were first held in California in 1985, and are open to serving and retired police, fire, prison and border security officers. The 2011 games in New York City were the largest yet, attracting 16,000 participants.

Belfast had hoped to welcome 10,000 athletes but the lower than expected turnout may be explained by athletes needing to raise their own funds for travel and accommodation. That said, the games proved to be the largest sporting event held in Northern Ireland’s history, made possible by the work of 3,500 volunteers.

Forty-one venues hosted 57 sports with 67 countries taking part. The USA topped the medal table with 469 medal positions: 187 gold. Northern Ireland athletes fared well on home ground, coming sixth with 230 medals (89 golds).

Speaking at the closing celebration, Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín remarked that Northern Ireland had “confidently welcomed thousands of competitors from across the globe to join in a sporting spectacular.”

Rioting in Belfast city centre on the previous night undoubtedly damaged the province’s reputation in the eyes of some visitors. However, the experience of most visitors was summed up by the WPFG Federation President Mike Graham.

Graham remarked: “The organisation and professionalism of the WPFG delivery team has been exemplary, the warmth and welcome of the many thousand volunteers has been outstanding, the support of the local people has been second to none, and even the weather has been fabulous.”

In his view, the event was “the pinnacle of our games to date” and he was “indebted to Belfast and Northern Ireland for making it happen.”