After a full week of welcoming the world to Thunder Bay a successful Can-Am Police-Fire Games has come to an end.
The games wrapped up Sunday after seven days of skill-testing competition among hundreds of emergency service personnel.
During the week the city welcomed 571 competitors and their families. The participants represented 18 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces as well as Australia, England and Ukraine.
Numerous competitors registered for multiple events, which resulted in a total of 1,880 event entries.
“It’s gone exceptionally well,” said Thunder Bay Police Chief J.P. Levesque. “We do such a wonderful job here in Thunder Bay and the volunteer base is incredible, they always do well.”
Hosting an international event wouldn’t be possible without the support from the community.
There were more than 500 volunteers and about 100 sponsors who came on board to make the event a great success.
“It’s been five years in the making, but what impressed me the most was our core of organizers,” Levesque said. “Everyone has stayed with it for the whole five years and that’s important.”
The two Thunder Bay athletes who were presented the ceremonial number one and two race bibs did not disappoint.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Jon Balabuck competed in 25 events winning 17 gold and 7 silver medals and Thunder Bay Police communications operator Ashley Goodland won 14 gold and one bronze medal.
Since 1977, the Can-Am Police-Fire Games have promoted physical fitness and camaraderie between law enforcement, fire, emergency and protective services.
“It’s important that our people stay fit,” Levesque said. “It’s important given the demands of not just policing but first responders in general, but it gives them a goal too.”
The games were a not-for-profit event in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thunder Bay and Thunder Bay Olympics.
There will be an announcement within the next few weeks regarding the amount raised for this charities.
