WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Olympics Committee considers D.C.’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games, insiders say they’ll be looking to an event this coming summer to see how our area handles an event nearing the same size.
“2015 is our year for the World Police and Fire Games and we’re excited.”
Organizer Bill Knight has helped run a World Cup and a Superbowl before, and says this event — while important in its own right — will also serve as an example to the U.S. Olympics Committee.
“There’s absolutely never been an event of this kind in the national capital region — multi-sport, multi-venue,” Knight says.
The event, open to competitors who work in public safety worldwide, expects to host 12,000 athletes who will compete at 52 regional venues, including opening and closing ceremonies at RFK and Wolftrap.
It’s the closest D.C. has gotten to hosting an event of Olympic proportions.
“Just having gone through anything and having a similar experience helps guide you,” he says.
When it comes to the number of athletes, the event will be larger than the Summer Olympics in London, which hosted fewer than 11,000 competitors.
The World Police Fire Games called a press conference on Thursday to unveil their budding plan for the event that kicks off June 26 with opening ceremonies at RFK Stadium.
Athletes like Chuck Ryan will be taking part. By day, Ryan is the Special Operations Chief for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, by night, he’s practicing on the ice rink.
Ryan is a forward for the Fairfax County team, and regularly plays against teams of other police and fire jurisdictions including the Secret Service and the FBI.
The event is expected to inject an estimated $60 – $80 million into Northern Virginia.
