Originating as an arm of the California Police Athletic Federation, the World Police and Fire Games owns its heritage to the first-ever-held California Police Olympics in 1967.
Although not adopting the “World Police and Fire Games” until 1983, the event officially kicked off in 1985 in San Jose, California.
As a biennial host to over 70 countries and now some 10,000+ athletes, the WPFG is a competition amongst retired law enforcement agents and fire rescue crew members. Athlete participants can choose from over 40 sports to compete in, which include an independent event for man’s, and police’s, best friend, the canine.
1995: Melbourne (AUS)
1999: Stockholm (SWE)
2003: Barcelona (SPA)
2015: Belfast (N. IRE)
The competition will kickoff in Fairfax, Virginia, this year from June 26 to July 5 and events will be stretched out amongst 53 venues in the metropolitan areas, including George Mason University.
Also designed to stimulate the local economy, Fairfax County will see a growth spurt of $60-80 million at the conclusion of the 2015 World Police and Fire Games.
On its calendar for the next few years, the WPFG will tour Montreal in 2017 and the Sichuan province of China in 2019.
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