:00:09. > :00:19.Complex, here and fast. After six years of planning, Northern Ireland
:00:19. > :00:34.
:00:34. > :00:40.is ready to officially welcome the soon, thousands of athletes from
:00:40. > :00:44.around the world will be filling this Arena, ready to kick-start the
:00:44. > :00:48.2013 Games. Della mac some of you are thinking, I didn't know there
:00:48. > :00:53.was an arena at the King's Hall. This day last week, there wasn't.
:00:53. > :00:58.The organisers have transformed this site into a stadium, just for this
:00:58. > :01:01.evening's event. We will be bringing you all the highlights from the
:01:01. > :01:06.Opening Ceremony and also introducing new to some other
:01:06. > :01:12.competitors who have made way to Belfast from near and far. So, what
:01:12. > :01:15.are the World Police and Fire Games? They are the third largest
:01:15. > :01:19.international multisport event in the world. The Games began life in
:01:19. > :01:27.California, almost 30 years ago. To promote comradeship among serving
:01:27. > :01:31.and retired officers. This is the 20th Games, and Belfast joins a long
:01:31. > :01:34.list of host cities, including Barcelona, Melbourne and New York.
:01:34. > :01:41.It is only the third time in their history that the Games have been
:01:41. > :01:44.held in Europe. Belfast won the right to host the Games in 2007 and
:01:44. > :01:49.six years of preparation have gone into delivering this prestigious
:01:50. > :01:55.event. Over the next ten days, 6500 competitors from 67 countries will
:01:55. > :02:01.be taking part in the D6 sports, based at 41 venues, but across the
:02:01. > :02:07.province. At the -- international spotlight falls on Northern
:02:07. > :02:10.Ireland, the organisers aim to deliver the friendliest Games ever.
:02:10. > :02:15.To get proceedings underway, the flags of the competing nations are
:02:15. > :02:25.brought into the Arena. They are welcomed by music from Grounds
:02:25. > :02:26.
:02:26. > :03:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds
:03:22. > :03:32.So, with everything in place, time to get things started, as Belfast
:03:32. > :03:40.
:03:41. > :03:46.welcomes competitors from around the long time. It has taken so long to
:03:46. > :03:56.get here, but the atmosphere is absolutely electric. So looking
:03:56. > :04:09.
:04:09. > :04:17.whether. I am from Seattle. I am here for the fund, and the medal is
:04:17. > :04:27.a bonus. It is the first time for the bus. It has a great reputation.
:04:27. > :04:42.
:04:42. > :04:49.to come here. It is very good atmosphere. Very friendly. I am
:04:49. > :04:58.enjoying the competition. -- I am doing the weightlifting competition.
:04:58. > :05:02.How about that! Russia is honoured to be here and we are amazed to see
:05:03. > :05:09.the lovely people and your hospitality. We feel warmth here. I
:05:09. > :05:13.do not want to offend any other cultures. But you're great. I have
:05:13. > :05:23.been waiting for this for a year now. I am very excited about it. I
:05:23. > :05:32.
:05:32. > :05:37.have been training twice a day been in New York, but this is as
:05:37. > :05:47.good as any of them. They are putting on a terrific show.
:05:47. > :05:47.
:05:47. > :06:35.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds
:06:35. > :06:41.the Games in Belfast and she joins us. Can you believe, it has finally
:06:42. > :06:46.arrived. We have been seven years ago and six years ago and we were
:06:46. > :06:49.really pleased it has come to fruition. We are on remarks and
:06:49. > :06:54.ready to go. It is a wonderful atmosphere tonight with so many
:06:54. > :06:59.people and so many people from all over the world. What are you
:06:59. > :07:03.expecting from the Games? Lots of fun and friendship, camaraderie. It
:07:03. > :07:09.is not a serious competition like the Olympics, it is bringing people
:07:09. > :07:12.together from around the world. Like-minded opportunities in the
:07:12. > :07:17.Police Service, the fire service, the Prison Service, the customs.
:07:17. > :07:20.They make friends for the rest of their lives. They work hard and they
:07:20. > :07:26.play hard. I think we might be seeing you playing some dodge ball?
:07:26. > :07:32.There is a charity event and I have had my arm twisted. I will come and
:07:32. > :07:36.see that! You are competing on behalf of the Northern Ireland Fire
:07:36. > :07:46.and Rescue Service. How good is the atmosphere? It is brilliant,
:07:46. > :07:52.
:07:52. > :07:55.fantastic. They are allowed, -- they are allowed. What do you make of the
:07:55. > :07:59.reception two the support from the home crowd and the other competitors
:07:59. > :08:04.is great, the atmosphere is fantastic. How proud heart you to
:08:04. > :08:09.have all these firefighters and police men getting involved? It is
:08:09. > :08:13.brilliant. We have had such a good time, when we were waiting to come
:08:14. > :08:21.in, it has been a privilege and a pleasure to lead the PSNI team out
:08:21. > :08:25.as their team captain. I can't wait for the Games to start. It is a
:08:25. > :08:31.great year to be in office, isn't it? It is a very proud day for the
:08:31. > :08:41.city of Al fast. We are hosting the biggest sporting event ever in
:08:41. > :08:46.Northern Ireland. -- a proud day for Belfast. The Opening Ceremony, such
:08:46. > :08:50.a wonderful atmosphere. Really pleased and thrilled to see the ball
:08:50. > :08:53.from every part of the globe coming here. People who are involved in the
:08:53. > :09:00.emergency services here to play sports, but also to enjoy
:09:00. > :09:05.themselves. We are going to knock it out of the park in terms of
:09:05. > :09:14.hospitality. And I believe you are taking part? I am a slow runner but
:09:14. > :09:20.I run in the ten K. The Games have attracted competitors from all
:09:20. > :09:30.around the world, each with their own reason to come to Belfast.
:09:30. > :09:36.Jim Currell from Australia. This is My Games.
:09:36. > :09:40.I am 52 years old. I am a senior Sergeant of police in the Victoria
:09:40. > :09:49.police department in Australia. I have been a policeman for about 27
:09:49. > :09:52.years. I am heading across to Belfast to compete in the World
:09:52. > :10:00.Police and Fire Games. I will be doing the 200 metres and 400
:10:00. > :10:06.metres. Last time I competed was in 1995, in my backyard in Melbourne. I
:10:06. > :10:14.won a bronze medal. For the first time, I began -- I will be going
:10:14. > :10:24.back to where I was born, Bangor in Northern Ireland. We all came to
:10:24. > :10:25.
:10:25. > :10:29.Australia in 1962 and settled here. It happens that we are having our
:10:29. > :10:32.wedding anniversary while we are in Belfast. We have organised with the
:10:32. > :10:38.church that my mother and father got married at, and where I was
:10:38. > :10:41.christened, we are going to go and renew our foes after 30 years. It is
:10:41. > :10:46.nice to be able to represent Australia and it is a great honour
:10:46. > :10:51.for me to be able to do that. The where the Australian coat of arms. I
:10:51. > :10:56.am looking forward to it, to see how police from around the world enjoy
:10:56. > :11:02.the hospitality of Belfast. Jim is with me now with his lovely wife,
:11:02. > :11:07.Janet. Great to see you here. thoroughly enjoying it, this crowd
:11:07. > :11:13.is amazing. I have had a fantastic time since we got here. It has been
:11:13. > :11:18.brilliant. The Games will be exciting and you are also renewing
:11:18. > :11:22.your vows. How excited are you? excited, I can't wait. We wish you
:11:22. > :11:27.all the best for the Games and for the renewal. Is that happening after
:11:27. > :11:33.the Games? Two it is after my last event, it gives me about two hours
:11:33. > :11:43.to get changed and showered and get off to the church. He likes to pack
:11:43. > :11:44.
:11:44. > :11:48.it all in! The first of this evening's performance items is
:11:48. > :11:58.called Cammack Exodus. It combines the musical talents of Peter Corry
:11:58. > :12:16.
:12:16. > :12:26.with Carnival groups, performers and where I'm meant to be # I will be
:12:26. > :12:27.
:12:27. > :12:37.there someday, if I can go the distance # I will find my way, if I
:12:37. > :12:40.
:12:40. > :12:50.can be strong # I know every mile will be worth my while.
:12:50. > :12:56.
:12:56. > :13:04.# If I go the distance, I will be right where I belong.
:13:04. > :13:11.# Down and on the road, -- down and unknown road, to meet my fate.
:13:11. > :13:18.# Where that road may wonder, it will lead me to you.
:13:19. > :13:26.# And 1000 years would be worth the wait.
:13:26. > :13:33.# It might take a lifetime, but somehow, I will see it through.
:13:33. > :13:42.# And I won't look back, I can go the distance.
:13:42. > :13:48.# I will stay on track, no, I won't admit defeat.
:13:48. > :13:58.# It's an uphill slope, but I won't lose hope.
:13:58. > :14:00.
:14:00. > :14:03.# When I go the distance, then my journey ends -- is complete.
:14:03. > :14:09.They are busy men, but the First and Deputy First Ministers have joined
:14:09. > :14:16.us. A special might for Belfast. is tremendous. People need to pinch
:14:16. > :14:19.themselves and big, was this Arsenal to have 20 or 30 years ago? Here, we
:14:19. > :14:23.have six to seven countries coming to Northern Ireland to take part in
:14:23. > :14:27.a world level event, tremendous to see all the people who have come
:14:27. > :14:34.along, we have to go out of our way to make it an enjoyable time for
:14:34. > :14:37.them. What will the people do, will they embrace the Games? I do not
:14:37. > :14:43.have any doubt about it. Just to look at the exuberance to make and
:14:43. > :14:46.the way in which people have been involved here, on what is a fabulous
:14:46. > :14:53.night for Belfast. A forerunner of what is to come over the next ten
:14:53. > :14:58.days. Will you be watching any of the events? I have already been at
:14:58. > :15:05.the ice hockey. I hope to see a number of the field events. I have
:15:05. > :15:12.not seen any yet, but I hope to over the course of the next day. I wanted
:15:12. > :15:20.to enter the fly fishing competition. But my hope has to be
:15:20. > :15:29.that over the next ten days, we get the opportunity to be involved.
:15:29. > :15:34.Thanks for your time. Part of the legacy of last year's Olympics is
:15:34. > :15:39.the spirit of volunteering. The Belfast games will require the
:15:39. > :15:44.country's largest ever gathering of volunteers. Northern Ireland did not
:15:44. > :15:48.disappoint. Over 6000 people applied to help and some of them got
:15:48. > :15:53.together to find out what they would be doing. I want to be a volunteer
:15:53. > :15:58.and give my time for something different. I want to be part of the
:15:58. > :16:01.experience of everybody coming across. I want to make this the
:16:01. > :16:06.finest games ever. It is exciting and something I will never be a part
:16:06. > :16:09.of the game. Three of those volunteers, a triplet of those
:16:09. > :16:18.volunteers are with me now. Rachel, Clare and Andrew Magowan, you have
:16:18. > :16:25.all volunteered as triplets. How is it at the opening ceremony? It is
:16:25. > :16:29.brilliant, good for us. Claire, why did you decide to be a volunteer?
:16:29. > :16:35.gave me new opportunities, to get about in the community and the part
:16:35. > :16:39.of history. Rachel, what about the atmosphere? It's good. Everyone is
:16:39. > :16:47.running around here we are having a good time. What event are you
:16:47. > :16:54.looking after? And what are you expecting from its? We are expecting
:16:54. > :16:59.strong firefighting men pulling staff! Enjoy the experience. --
:16:59. > :17:09.pulling staff. My name is Connor and this is my
:17:09. > :17:12.games. I have been a firefight in Northern Ireland since 2004. I love
:17:12. > :17:22.the job and the active aspect of it. Also helping people in the
:17:22. > :17:22.
:17:22. > :17:26.community. This is going to be my first World Police and Fire Games. I
:17:26. > :17:30.am competing in an event which include sprinting with hoses over
:17:30. > :17:37.your shoulder and also a dummy dragon and running up and down six
:17:37. > :17:42.flights of stairs with a hose over our shoulders. Nine years ago, I
:17:42. > :17:47.suffered an injury while on duty. I fractured a bone in my spine. It
:17:47. > :17:51.took me quite a few years to get over it. It was a pretty dark time
:17:51. > :17:56.in my life because not even thinking about work, being able to walk
:17:56. > :18:01.again, would I be able to function? The pain was so bad I could not even
:18:01. > :18:08.put weight on my legs. The ultimate goal then was to get back to full
:18:08. > :18:15.fitness. So I tried to be as positive as possible, not thinking
:18:15. > :18:19.about whether, more when will I? The goal after that was to compete at a
:18:19. > :18:24.games at some stage of my career. And to think that now I'm going to
:18:24. > :18:31.compete in the one of the most challenging events in the World
:18:31. > :18:36.Police and Fire Games, it is a real big deal. I can't wait. And the best
:18:36. > :18:40.of luck to him as he flies the flag for Northern Ireland in the toughest
:18:40. > :18:45.competitor alive, edition. The next performance item aims to celebrate
:18:45. > :18:50.the cultural and ethnic diversity of contemporary Northern Ireland. It
:18:50. > :19:00.involves over 100 professional and community performers in a music and
:19:00. > :19:00.
:19:00. > :22:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds
:22:43. > :22:46.dance spectacular. This is Melting tracksuit but... Yes, I was born and
:22:46. > :22:55.raised in Norway and I moved to the USA. How excited are you about the
:22:55. > :22:59.games? Very excited. A lot of beer, a loss of Guinness. Have you bond
:22:59. > :23:04.with your friends from Norway? have just arrived and I found some
:23:04. > :23:10.Norwegians who gave me this hat which I traded for some T-shirts and
:23:10. > :23:13.some coins. I am now officially a Norwegian American. I play
:23:13. > :23:20.five-a-side and I'm going to do the mountain run. Taking it very
:23:20. > :23:25.seriously? No, I am here for the fun. To meet new friends. And how
:23:25. > :23:31.was your wife enjoying Belfast? it's very good. We have just arrived
:23:31. > :23:35.but it's looking good. Is he going to win? He hates to lose, so he
:23:35. > :23:44.takes a pretty seriously. We have found the coolest team here, the
:23:44. > :23:48.boys from France. I looking forward to your way? We are here for eight
:23:48. > :23:57.days to have fun and win the medal. I you boys serious athlete or do you
:23:57. > :24:07.just look good? We did good.I like your hat wearer you from? I am from
:24:07. > :24:09.
:24:09. > :24:19.Kazakhstan. Are you going to win this week? No pressure. Can I try on
:24:19. > :24:24.
:24:24. > :24:34.your hat? Please.Pretty good. We are guessing that you are you
:24:34. > :24:37.
:24:37. > :24:39.competing in? Bench pressing. This is the team from Thailand. We are
:24:39. > :24:48.very excited because this is our first time here. We took a very long
:24:48. > :24:54.flight, 18 hours. And if the weather worsened? Now it has become a sunny
:24:54. > :25:02.day, so it is good. Are there any superstars in your team? Yes, we
:25:02. > :25:12.have a judo superstar and a tae kwon do and tennis stars. Can you get the
:25:12. > :25:15.
:25:15. > :25:19.guys to give us a thumbs up? Yeah! The games' opening ceremony may just
:25:19. > :25:22.have started but the events are underway. Ice hockey may be a
:25:22. > :25:31.relatively new sport to this part of the world but that has not stopped
:25:31. > :25:36.the locals from trying to sneak a medal or two.
:25:36. > :25:41.The team was formed a few weeks ago and we knew what a popular sport of
:25:41. > :25:46.wars and beanie we needed a home team. We started it with a view to
:25:46. > :25:53.these games. We decided call the Northern Ireland Trident. Each prong
:25:53. > :25:57.representing one of the services, the prisons, fire and police. We are
:25:57. > :26:07.one of the teams which is playing male and female in his team. We have
:26:07. > :26:09.
:26:09. > :26:14.also got a team from on guard Shia co-owner -- An Garda Siochona.
:26:14. > :26:19.is advertised at work and I used to play-Rocky so I thought, I could do
:26:19. > :26:29.that. I wasn't going to put off because of being a girl, girls were
:26:29. > :26:39.allowed to take part. They didn't have a choice. I have been playing
:26:39. > :26:39.
:26:39. > :26:42.two years. People say it's addictive. It is. I played ten years
:26:42. > :26:49.with the Belfast Giants and I'm really happy to be helping these
:26:49. > :26:54.guys out in their pursuit of the World Police and Fire Games.
:26:54. > :27:00.Everyone who is here is making a big commitment to get better. These have
:27:00. > :27:05.not played before and they're coming to a level now. I am happy with the
:27:05. > :27:13.way things have progressed. I think it will be great. They are all
:27:13. > :27:18.looking forward to it. They have been training hard. We are now
:27:18. > :27:25.hoping that this is the start of the Trident is putting their stamp on
:27:25. > :27:29.the World Police and Fire Games. We have a chance of a medal.
:27:29. > :27:34.Trident have finished their part of the tournament and they claimed a
:27:34. > :27:40.famous victory. Two of them with me now. Paul, you must be proud of that
:27:40. > :27:43.result. We are over the moon. Three years of hard work and dedication by
:27:43. > :27:49.all the team players and coaching staff has paid off with a good
:27:49. > :27:53.victory over the UK team. And Kyle, it is a relatively new sport in
:27:53. > :27:59.Northern Ireland. But you have played very, very well. You will be
:27:59. > :28:05.hopeful of making other games in the future? Yes, I think the talk in the
:28:05. > :28:10.changing room after revealing of the border we have locally, is that 20
:28:10. > :28:17.-- Fairfax 2015 is a possibility. It would be a shame to end it here. We
:28:17. > :28:21.are looking to the future. Will you go for a medal next time?
:28:22. > :28:29.safely. We will be looking for a gold in Fairfax. All the very best,
:28:29. > :28:34.lads. Many of the sports in the games have
:28:34. > :28:41.a direct link to the competitors' day job. So when we saw a -- an
:28:41. > :28:46.event that was running up stairs there was only one person we could
:28:46. > :28:55.send. One of the toughest competitions has to be this day
:28:55. > :28:59.race. 27 floors and only the fittest will make it to the top. -- one of
:28:59. > :29:06.the toughest competitions is the stair race. Linda, you are one of
:29:06. > :29:10.the toughest competitors. What is the stair raised about. That is 27
:29:10. > :29:16.floors and it is about getting from the bottom to the top as fast as you
:29:16. > :29:19.can with your fire kit and breathing apparatus. How fit do you have to
:29:19. > :29:25.be? You have to be exceptionally fit. There is a lot of cardio from
:29:25. > :29:30.getting to the top -- getting from the bottom to the top. You have to
:29:30. > :29:35.get your head down and keep pushing. How knackered are you going to be at
:29:35. > :29:40.the top? It is going to be extremely hard. As well as being physical, it
:29:40. > :29:46.is also a mental thing to push yourself to get up there. You put it
:29:46. > :29:52.off long enough, you are going to show me what is like. This is it.
:29:52. > :29:59.Remember what I told you at the start. Determination, head down,
:29:59. > :30:06.push, push. Let's go, Linda, before I back out! Keep pushing. Can you
:30:06. > :30:13.hold the hand rails? You can. Keep pushing. Suck it up. Keep going.
:30:13. > :30:19.Come on. It's nearly holiday time coming but only the legs and the
:30:19. > :30:26.bum. I will have no bum at the end of this! OK, a third in the way
:30:26. > :30:29.there. Keep going. Push, push! You are doing good. We are down into
:30:29. > :30:39.single figures. You can do this. Keep telling yourself that and you
:30:39. > :30:44.
:30:44. > :30:49.will. Four floors! Go! Go! Push, push. Go on. Hurray! 27. That is one
:30:49. > :30:59.of the toughest things I have ever done. No body double, no stuntman.
:30:59. > :31:11.
:31:11. > :31:16.Linda, thank you. You think you're tough enough, you, big lad?
:31:16. > :31:22.I have been told by everyone I am crazy to do it. I am feeling a bit
:31:22. > :31:30.of pressure to defend my goal. is with you as well. You are doing
:31:30. > :31:33.an event that might be a little more hard-core. Ultimate firefighter at
:31:33. > :31:40.the Titanic Slipways. And the bench press, a new event for me this year.
:31:40. > :31:43.Good luck. Have a good time in Belfast.
:31:43. > :31:53.Running alongside the competition, the Games hold true to their
:31:53. > :31:56.
:31:56. > :32:03.original ethos of comradeship. I am Tina Icorn and this is My Games.
:32:03. > :32:08.I am a police officer in Southern California. I have been assigned to
:32:08. > :32:12.patrol for over 20 years. At the World Police and Fire Games in
:32:12. > :32:19.Belfast, I will begin eating in the police action pistol. -- I will be
:32:19. > :32:24.competing. You have to shoot, reload, current rounds, make sure we
:32:24. > :32:28.hit the targets we are supposed to shoot. The big Games promote
:32:28. > :32:31.camaraderie between law-enforcement and firefighting communities but it
:32:31. > :32:35.is the atmosphere of the Games and the host city that makes it a very
:32:35. > :32:40.social event. I can walk into a restaurant alone, but I will not
:32:40. > :32:47.buying alone, because a local or another competitor will ask me to
:32:47. > :32:51.sit down with them. My best friends at the Games also compete in
:32:51. > :32:56.pistol. I see Stewart and Robert every two years at the Games. It is
:32:56. > :33:00.a big event for them. We are looking forward to being flatmates in
:33:00. > :33:04.Belfast so can share experiences, plan our days and compete together.
:33:04. > :33:07.We are so excited to see each other, we have been e-mailing back and
:33:07. > :33:12.forth for weeks. I am looking forward to seeing friends I have
:33:12. > :33:17.made over the years, especially the boys with the South Wales football
:33:17. > :33:20.team. And making new friendships. It will be great to meet the locals and
:33:20. > :33:25.experience all the culture Belfast has to offer.
:33:25. > :33:29.I am delighted to say, Tina is with me in the arena. Great to have you
:33:29. > :33:34.here. Amazing atmosphere. You have brought you to friends. yes, it is
:33:34. > :33:41.great to be here and I had brought my lifelong friends. This is Stewart
:33:41. > :33:44.from Nevada, this is from -- robber from Queensland. Stuart, you have
:33:44. > :33:49.become friends throughout these Games. What is so special about them
:33:49. > :33:54.for you you make just the lifelong friends, you meet somebody, you are
:33:54. > :33:59.constantly in contact with them, see them every two years. That is what
:33:59. > :34:06.the World Police and Fire Games is all about, camaraderie. Bob, how
:34:06. > :34:11.special are these two people in your life two it is great to come to
:34:11. > :34:15.these events and meeting new people, we can easily identify, interests
:34:15. > :34:24.and create new ones as we go along. We hope you have a great Games,
:34:24. > :34:26.thank you and enjoy the rest. Belfast rocks! The PSNI have a squad
:34:26. > :34:34.of athletes competing in a wide variety of events over the next few
:34:34. > :34:44.days. Cull what's going on here? Were just doing a bit for the World
:34:44. > :34:48.
:34:48. > :34:55.Police and Fire Games. Am I on TV? We are tried to do some work here.
:34:55. > :35:05.If you are competing, I want to talk to the best. This is my gig this
:35:05. > :35:11.
:35:11. > :35:17.week. I am sure you're all right. Very, very good. I do actually
:35:17. > :35:27.competing this week? Yes, yes.You are not really an elite athlete.
:35:27. > :35:33.
:35:33. > :35:43.Cull excuse me! I am the ultimate PSNI officer. What is that?
:35:43. > :35:43.
:35:43. > :35:53.compete in darts and booze. There is the 100 metres dash. I had better
:35:53. > :35:55.
:35:55. > :35:58.go. We are playing Gillick football. I had better go. Good luck to Billy.
:35:58. > :36:08.Even though the Opening Ceremony is taking pace in Belfast, you can
:36:08. > :36:09.
:36:09. > :36:11.still catch some Games actions in one of 41 venues across the country.
:36:11. > :36:19.I am a firefighter, I work for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue
:36:19. > :36:23.Service. My main sport as mountain biking. We have a brand-new venue
:36:23. > :36:28.here. It has taken 12 months to complete. The track is very
:36:28. > :36:33.challenging and very demanding. We have had one race on it already.
:36:33. > :36:36.People have been saying how good it is. The trail is of international
:36:36. > :36:46.standards so it is great to have the Games here to show these guys what
:36:46. > :36:47.
:36:47. > :36:53.we have to offer. I am a firefighter and I am stationed in Dundalk. The
:36:53. > :36:56.World Police and Fire Games, I had to take part in it. I am going to
:36:56. > :37:06.take part in the downhill competition. We are here as often as
:37:06. > :37:10.we can. It opens the door to endless opportunities. I would like to
:37:10. > :37:18.finish high in the ranking. But at the end of the day, I will be happy
:37:18. > :37:24.to have a good run and smile. firefighter in the Northern Ireland
:37:24. > :37:28.Fire and Rescue Service. I am stationed in Glengormley. This is an
:37:28. > :37:33.international event, so we look forward to seeing the standard on
:37:33. > :37:35.the podium this year, it is a bonus. But the main aim to get out there
:37:35. > :37:43.and meet other people with similar interest and enjoy your day. This
:37:43. > :37:47.was an opportunity not to be missed. I took part in the Games in
:37:47. > :37:51.Vancouver and had an amazing experience. I met a lot of different
:37:51. > :37:54.people and I have made a lot of friends. A lot of them have
:37:54. > :38:00.travelled to Northern Ireland to take part in the mutton biking
:38:00. > :38:06.event. I can't wait for all the guys to come across and have a plate and
:38:06. > :38:10.show them what we have in Northern Ireland. -- have a pint we are close
:38:10. > :38:19.to light in the cauldron, signifying the official start of the game.
:38:19. > :38:26.The Flame of Hope has been carried around the country by officers from
:38:26. > :38:31.the PSNI and An Garda Siochana, accompanied by a special Olympians
:38:31. > :38:40.from across our land. It was also a great chance for schoolchildren to
:38:40. > :38:44.meet the Games mascot, Emergency Eddie. He is very funny. Cull I
:38:44. > :38:54.would like to see the swimming and the running and maybe the stair
:38:54. > :39:07.
:39:07. > :39:11.race. The swimming and a hockey. the torch, the pipes and drums of
:39:11. > :39:20.the PSNI signalled the start of the ceremonial section of this
:39:20. > :39:25.evening's event. It was then the responsibility of Mike Graham,
:39:25. > :39:33.President of the Games, to introduce a familiar face to the Belfast
:39:33. > :39:37.crowd. Finally, after its long journey across Ireland, the Flame of
:39:38. > :39:47.Hope, carried by police officers and special Olympians, made its way
:39:48. > :39:48.
:39:48. > :39:58.towards the cauldron. And who else could light the flame, but Northern
:39:58. > :40:19.
:40:19. > :40:22.Ireland's very own golden girl, Dame delighted to say, the President of
:40:22. > :40:28.the World Police and Fire Games is with me, Mike Graham. What do you
:40:28. > :40:33.make of the atmosphere? It has been electric, I cannot believe what a
:40:33. > :40:37.wonderful event this has been tonight. It is thrilling to see all
:40:37. > :40:40.of Belfast coming out to impress these wonderful Games, it is good to
:40:40. > :40:47.be a fabulous ten days. You have seen so many Games, how does well
:40:47. > :40:52.fast stack up two so far, it is the friendliest Games we have seen.
:40:52. > :40:56.Really looking forward to the rest of the week. This is just a
:40:56. > :41:01.precursor of what we are going to see for the rest of the week.
:41:01. > :41:05.hope you have a great time, thank you and good luck.
:41:05. > :41:08.The chair of the World Police and Fire Games board is the PSNI Deputy
:41:08. > :41:16.Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie. What has the Busby mike among your
:41:16. > :41:20.officers? It has been fantastic. So many officers taking part from local
:41:21. > :41:27.services, it is great to see. There is some friendly rivalry between
:41:27. > :41:31.them as well. You are competing yourself? I am taking part in the
:41:31. > :41:41.charity dodge ball. My secret weapon is game Terry, who is playing in our
:41:41. > :41:54.
:41:54. > :42:04.team. I am looking forward to that. from Washington, USA. These are my
:42:04. > :42:13.
:42:13. > :42:19.first Games. My mum is a firefighter mum, it has always been a dream job
:42:19. > :42:25.to me. I love going to work every day. I love being with the people I
:42:26. > :42:30.am with. Helping people. We are competing in the toughest competitor
:42:30. > :42:37.collide this year. My mum did it 15 years ago and I am hoping to beat
:42:37. > :42:45.her score. -- the toughest competitor alive. She usually wins
:42:45. > :42:51.at everything, so this is my chance. It is like a five K run, shot putt,
:42:51. > :42:59.100 meter dash, 100 metres swim, rope climb, bench press, pull ups,
:42:59. > :43:05.and an obstacle course, all in the one day. I was here 15 years ago and
:43:05. > :43:10.I think she will exceed my expectations. IMac that fact I am
:43:10. > :43:13.excited to be here in Northern Ireland. To be here with my mum, who
:43:13. > :43:19.has inspired me to become a firefighter, is the icing on the
:43:19. > :43:25.cake. The next performance item has been specially composed for this
:43:25. > :43:28.evening's ceremony, by John Anderson. Dare To Dream features a
:43:28. > :43:38.host of musicians, voices and that is, all of whom have their roots in
:43:38. > :43:38.
:43:38. > :49:10.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds
:49:10. > :49:12.Northern Ireland. -- voices and The news is very often filled with
:49:12. > :49:17.the stories of catastrophes around the world.
:49:17. > :49:20.It is the job of many of the men and women here tonight to face those
:49:20. > :49:25.disasters, to be the first on the scene and put the lives of others
:49:25. > :49:32.before their own. For many people above -- across the
:49:32. > :49:38.globe, the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11
:49:38. > :49:43.2001 unfolded in front of our eyes. Almost 3000 people lost their lives
:49:43. > :49:49.that day. Among them were 343 firefighters who had rushed to
:49:49. > :49:57.answer the call that morning. For the firefighters who survived, life
:49:57. > :50:00.would never be the same. That day, we really didn't believe we had lost
:50:00. > :50:04.all those firemen. We thought they were trapped in the building. I
:50:04. > :50:12.think it would be too much for me to handle, to think about all the
:50:12. > :50:17.people that we lost that day. I personally knew 50 of those guys.
:50:17. > :50:24.Everybody had to report in. We automated, we worked 24 hours on, 24
:50:24. > :50:34.hours on -- off for a couple of weeks. Everybody did what they had
:50:34. > :50:34.
:50:34. > :50:40.to do. Everybody was docked tired. -- everybody was docked tired.
:50:40. > :50:47.really tired. We would lose a firefighter from time to time. It
:50:47. > :50:49.was really traumatic. But having to go to 343 funerals or memorial
:50:49. > :50:57.services, that was something that nobody could ever imagine doing in
:50:57. > :51:01.their life. I guess it's human nature to push on. We pulled
:51:01. > :51:06.together, we went to a lot of funerals. We were busy doing that
:51:06. > :51:12.for quite a long time. Just working together and discussing how we felt
:51:12. > :51:16.and how other people felt made it more comfortable for us. The fire
:51:16. > :51:20.service has taken care of us. A lot of us had post-traumatic stress
:51:20. > :51:25.disorder and through the work of our peers and peer counsellors, I have
:51:25. > :51:33.seen a bunch of us recover and get much better after ten or 11 years
:51:33. > :51:38.since the incident. The team is a good bunch of guys. Veterans who
:51:38. > :51:48.have been there, seen it all. look down the bench, you see a lot
:51:48. > :51:53.of experience. They experienced 911. Especially on this team. Another
:51:53. > :51:57.great day. Brothers for ever. Let's have a drink two brothers who are no
:51:57. > :52:06.longer with us. We miss them so much. To the brothers!Well said,
:52:06. > :52:09.Chris. Belfast artist Brian Kennedy joined the crowd to pay a tribute to
:52:09. > :52:19.the fallen heroes, those officers who have lost their lives in the
:52:19. > :52:21.
:52:21. > :52:29.line of duty since the last Games. # you raise me up, so I can stand on
:52:29. > :52:38.mountains # you raise me up to walk on stormy season # I am stronger
:52:38. > :52:48.when I am your -- I am on your shoulders, you raise me up to more
:52:48. > :53:09.
:53:09. > :53:15.than I can be # there is no life, no life without its hunger.
:53:15. > :53:25.# but then you come and I am filled with wonder, sometimes I think I
:53:25. > :53:30.
:53:30. > :53:34.glimpse it turned the. . # where's my choir?
:53:34. > :53:44.# you raise me up so I can stand on mountains of you raise me up to walk
:53:44. > :53:45.
:53:45. > :53:55.on stormy season, and I am strong, when I am on your shoulders, you
:53:55. > :53:58.
:53:58. > :54:08.raise me up to more than I can be...
:54:08. > :54:25.
:54:25. > :54:30.# you raise me up to more than I can be... . # thank you so much!
:54:30. > :54:33.And to bring tonight was a ceremony to a close, the organisers have
:54:33. > :54:43.organised a special return to Northern Ireland for Andrea Begley
:54:43. > :54:46.
:54:46. > :54:56.who was crowned winner of the voice UK -- The Voice 2013.
:54:56. > :54:59.
:54:59. > :55:09.# for you, there will be no crying, # for you, the sun will be shining,
:55:09. > :55:14.
:55:14. > :55:24.because I feel that when I'm with you, it's all right, I know it's all
:55:24. > :55:28.
:55:28. > :55:38.right # and the songbirds keep singing like they know the score,
:55:38. > :55:44.
:55:44. > :55:54.and I love you, I love you, I love you, like never before...
:55:54. > :56:12.
:56:12. > :56:22.# to you, I would give the world # to you, I'll never grow cold,
:56:22. > :56:24.
:56:24. > :56:34.because I feel that when I'm with you, it's all right, I know it's all
:56:34. > :56:44.right. # and the songbirds keep singing
:56:44. > :56:47.
:56:47. > :56:57.like they know the score, and I love you, I love you, I love you, like
:56:57. > :57:09.
:57:09. > :57:16.never before # like never before, like never before.
:57:16. > :57:24.# thank you. What a great way to end this opening
:57:25. > :57:30.ceremony. We loved it, but wanted the audience think. Music was great,
:57:30. > :57:40.people are friendly here. ceremony was beautiful, really good.
:57:40. > :57:40.
:57:40. > :57:46.I loved it. The opening ceremony was fantastic. It was great to look and
:57:46. > :57:56.see, very great. The ceremony was awesome. I loved it. It's everything
:57:56. > :58:01.that you would expect in the Olympics. I had a good time. Well
:58:01. > :58:05.done to Belfast. The 2013 Games are up and running.
:58:05. > :58:09.If you want to catch some of the sporting action, events are taking
:58:09. > :58:13.place all across the country. Most are open to the public and free. You