World Police and Fire Games

Complex, here and fast. After six years of planning, Northern Ireland

is ready to officially welcome the soon, thousands of athletes from

around the world will be filling this Arena, ready to kick-start the

2013 Games. Della mac some of you are thinking, I didn't know there

was an arena at the King's Hall. This day last week, there wasn't.

The organisers have transformed this site into a stadium, just for this

evening's event. We will be bringing you all the highlights from the

Opening Ceremony and also introducing new to some other

competitors who have made way to Belfast from near and far. So, what

are the World Police and Fire Games? They are the third largest

international multisport event in the world. The Games began life in

California, almost 30 years ago. To promote comradeship among serving

and retired officers. This is the 20th Games, and Belfast joins a long

list of host cities, including Barcelona, Melbourne and New York.

It is only the third time in their history that the Games have been

held in Europe. Belfast won the right to host the Games in 2007 and

six years of preparation have gone into delivering this prestigious

event. Over the next ten days, 6500 competitors from 67 countries will

be taking part in the D6 sports, based at 41 venues, but across the

province. At the -- international spotlight falls on Northern

Ireland, the organisers aim to deliver the friendliest Games ever.

To get proceedings underway, the flags of the competing nations are

brought into the Arena. They are welcomed by music from Grounds

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

So, with everything in place, time to get things started, as Belfast

welcomes competitors from around the long time. It has taken so long to

get here, but the atmosphere is absolutely electric. So looking

whether. I am from Seattle. I am here for the fund, and the medal is

a bonus. It is the first time for the bus. It has a great reputation.

to come here. It is very good atmosphere. Very friendly. I am

enjoying the competition. -- I am doing the weightlifting competition.

How about that! Russia is honoured to be here and we are amazed to see

the lovely people and your hospitality. We feel warmth here. I

do not want to offend any other cultures. But you're great. I have

been waiting for this for a year now. I am very excited about it. I

have been training twice a day been in New York, but this is as

good as any of them. They are putting on a terrific show.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

the Games in Belfast and she joins us. Can you believe, it has finally

arrived. We have been seven years ago and six years ago and we were

really pleased it has come to fruition. We are on remarks and

ready to go. It is a wonderful atmosphere tonight with so many

people and so many people from all over the world. What are you

expecting from the Games? Lots of fun and friendship, camaraderie. It

is not a serious competition like the Olympics, it is bringing people

together from around the world. Like-minded opportunities in the

Police Service, the fire service, the Prison Service, the customs.

They make friends for the rest of their lives. They work hard and they

play hard. I think we might be seeing you playing some dodge ball?

There is a charity event and I have had my arm twisted. I will come and

see that! You are competing on behalf of the Northern Ireland Fire

and Rescue Service. How good is the atmosphere? It is brilliant,

fantastic. They are allowed, -- they are allowed. What do you make of the

reception two the support from the home crowd and the other competitors

is great, the atmosphere is fantastic. How proud heart you to

have all these firefighters and police men getting involved? It is

brilliant. We have had such a good time, when we were waiting to come

in, it has been a privilege and a pleasure to lead the PSNI team out

as their team captain. I can't wait for the Games to start. It is a

great year to be in office, isn't it? It is a very proud day for the

city of Al fast. We are hosting the biggest sporting event ever in

Northern Ireland. -- a proud day for Belfast. The Opening Ceremony, such

a wonderful atmosphere. Really pleased and thrilled to see the ball

from every part of the globe coming here. People who are involved in the

emergency services here to play sports, but also to enjoy

themselves. We are going to knock it out of the park in terms of

hospitality. And I believe you are taking part? I am a slow runner but

I run in the ten K. The Games have attracted competitors from all

around the world, each with their own reason to come to Belfast.

Jim Currell from Australia. This is My Games.

I am 52 years old. I am a senior Sergeant of police in the Victoria

police department in Australia. I have been a policeman for about 27

years. I am heading across to Belfast to compete in the World

Police and Fire Games. I will be doing the 200 metres and 400

metres. Last time I competed was in 1995, in my backyard in Melbourne. I

won a bronze medal. For the first time, I began -- I will be going

back to where I was born, Bangor in Northern Ireland. We all came to

Australia in 1962 and settled here. It happens that we are having our

wedding anniversary while we are in Belfast. We have organised with the

church that my mother and father got married at, and where I was

christened, we are going to go and renew our foes after 30 years. It is

nice to be able to represent Australia and it is a great honour

for me to be able to do that. The where the Australian coat of arms. I

am looking forward to it, to see how police from around the world enjoy

the hospitality of Belfast. Jim is with me now with his lovely wife,

Janet. Great to see you here. thoroughly enjoying it, this crowd

is amazing. I have had a fantastic time since we got here. It has been

brilliant. The Games will be exciting and you are also renewing

your vows. How excited are you? excited, I can't wait. We wish you

all the best for the Games and for the renewal. Is that happening after

the Games? Two it is after my last event, it gives me about two hours

to get changed and showered and get off to the church. He likes to pack

it all in! The first of this evening's performance items is

called Cammack Exodus. It combines the musical talents of Peter Corry

with Carnival groups, performers and where I'm meant to be # I will be

there someday, if I can go the distance # I will find my way, if I

can be strong # I know every mile will be worth my while.

# If I go the distance, I will be right where I belong.

# Down and on the road, -- down and unknown road, to meet my fate.

# Where that road may wonder, it will lead me to you.

# And 1000 years would be worth the wait.

# It might take a lifetime, but somehow, I will see it through.

# And I won't look back, I can go the distance.

# I will stay on track, no, I won't admit defeat.

# It's an uphill slope, but I won't lose hope.

# When I go the distance, then my journey ends -- is complete.

They are busy men, but the First and Deputy First Ministers have joined

us. A special might for Belfast. is tremendous. People need to pinch

themselves and big, was this Arsenal to have 20 or 30 years ago? Here, we

have six to seven countries coming to Northern Ireland to take part in

a world level event, tremendous to see all the people who have come

along, we have to go out of our way to make it an enjoyable time for

them. What will the people do, will they embrace the Games? I do not

have any doubt about it. Just to look at the exuberance to make and

the way in which people have been involved here, on what is a fabulous

night for Belfast. A forerunner of what is to come over the next ten

days. Will you be watching any of the events? I have already been at

the ice hockey. I hope to see a number of the field events. I have

not seen any yet, but I hope to over the course of the next day. I wanted

to enter the fly fishing competition. But my hope has to be

that over the next ten days, we get the opportunity to be involved.

Thanks for your time. Part of the legacy of last year's Olympics is

the spirit of volunteering. The Belfast games will require the

country's largest ever gathering of volunteers. Northern Ireland did not

disappoint. Over 6000 people applied to help and some of them got

together to find out what they would be doing. I want to be a volunteer

and give my time for something different. I want to be part of the

experience of everybody coming across. I want to make this the

finest games ever. It is exciting and something I will never be a part

of the game. Three of those volunteers, a triplet of those

volunteers are with me now. Rachel, Clare and Andrew Magowan, you have

all volunteered as triplets. How is it at the opening ceremony? It is

brilliant, good for us. Claire, why did you decide to be a volunteer?

gave me new opportunities, to get about in the community and the part

of history. Rachel, what about the atmosphere? It's good. Everyone is

running around here we are having a good time. What event are you

looking after? And what are you expecting from its? We are expecting

strong firefighting men pulling staff! Enjoy the experience. --

pulling staff. My name is Connor and this is my

games. I have been a firefight in Northern Ireland since 2004. I love

the job and the active aspect of it. Also helping people in the

community. This is going to be my first World Police and Fire Games. I

am competing in an event which include sprinting with hoses over

your shoulder and also a dummy dragon and running up and down six

flights of stairs with a hose over our shoulders. Nine years ago, I

suffered an injury while on duty. I fractured a bone in my spine. It

took me quite a few years to get over it. It was a pretty dark time

in my life because not even thinking about work, being able to walk

again, would I be able to function? The pain was so bad I could not even

put weight on my legs. The ultimate goal then was to get back to full

fitness. So I tried to be as positive as possible, not thinking

about whether, more when will I? The goal after that was to compete at a

games at some stage of my career. And to think that now I'm going to

compete in the one of the most challenging events in the World

Police and Fire Games, it is a real big deal. I can't wait. And the best

of luck to him as he flies the flag for Northern Ireland in the toughest

competitor alive, edition. The next performance item aims to celebrate

the cultural and ethnic diversity of contemporary Northern Ireland. It

involves over 100 professional and community performers in a music and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

dance spectacular. This is Melting tracksuit but... Yes, I was born and

raised in Norway and I moved to the USA. How excited are you about the

games? Very excited. A lot of beer, a loss of Guinness. Have you bond

with your friends from Norway? have just arrived and I found some

Norwegians who gave me this hat which I traded for some T-shirts and

some coins. I am now officially a Norwegian American. I play

five-a-side and I'm going to do the mountain run. Taking it very

seriously? No, I am here for the fun. To meet new friends. And how

was your wife enjoying Belfast? it's very good. We have just arrived

but it's looking good. Is he going to win? He hates to lose, so he

takes a pretty seriously. We have found the coolest team here, the

boys from France. I looking forward to your way? We are here for eight

days to have fun and win the medal. I you boys serious athlete or do you

just look good? We did good.I like your hat wearer you from? I am from

Kazakhstan. Are you going to win this week? No pressure. Can I try on

your hat? Please.Pretty good. We are guessing that you are you

competing in? Bench pressing. This is the team from Thailand. We are

very excited because this is our first time here. We took a very long

flight, 18 hours. And if the weather worsened? Now it has become a sunny

day, so it is good. Are there any superstars in your team? Yes, we

have a judo superstar and a tae kwon do and tennis stars. Can you get the

guys to give us a thumbs up? Yeah! The games' opening ceremony may just

have started but the events are underway. Ice hockey may be a

relatively new sport to this part of the world but that has not stopped

the locals from trying to sneak a medal or two.

The team was formed a few weeks ago and we knew what a popular sport of

wars and beanie we needed a home team. We started it with a view to

these games. We decided call the Northern Ireland Trident. Each prong

representing one of the services, the prisons, fire and police. We are

one of the teams which is playing male and female in his team. We have

also got a team from on guard Shia co-owner -- An Garda Siochona.

is advertised at work and I used to play-Rocky so I thought, I could do

that. I wasn't going to put off because of being a girl, girls were

allowed to take part. They didn't have a choice. I have been playing

two years. People say it's addictive. It is. I played ten years

with the Belfast Giants and I'm really happy to be helping these

guys out in their pursuit of the World Police and Fire Games.

Everyone who is here is making a big commitment to get better. These have

not played before and they're coming to a level now. I am happy with the

way things have progressed. I think it will be great. They are all

looking forward to it. They have been training hard. We are now

hoping that this is the start of the Trident is putting their stamp on

the World Police and Fire Games. We have a chance of a medal.

Trident have finished their part of the tournament and they claimed a

famous victory. Two of them with me now. Paul, you must be proud of that

result. We are over the moon. Three years of hard work and dedication by

all the team players and coaching staff has paid off with a good

victory over the UK team. And Kyle, it is a relatively new sport in

Northern Ireland. But you have played very, very well. You will be

hopeful of making other games in the future? Yes, I think the talk in the

changing room after revealing of the border we have locally, is that 20

-- Fairfax 2015 is a possibility. It would be a shame to end it here. We

are looking to the future. Will you go for a medal next time?

safely. We will be looking for a gold in Fairfax. All the very best,

lads. Many of the sports in the games have

a direct link to the competitors' day job. So when we saw a -- an

event that was running up stairs there was only one person we could

send. One of the toughest competitions has to be this day

race. 27 floors and only the fittest will make it to the top. -- one of

the toughest competitions is the stair race. Linda, you are one of

the toughest competitors. What is the stair raised about. That is 27

floors and it is about getting from the bottom to the top as fast as you

can with your fire kit and breathing apparatus. How fit do you have to

be? You have to be exceptionally fit. There is a lot of cardio from

getting to the top -- getting from the bottom to the top. You have to

get your head down and keep pushing. How knackered are you going to be at

the top? It is going to be extremely hard. As well as being physical, it

is also a mental thing to push yourself to get up there. You put it

off long enough, you are going to show me what is like. This is it.

Remember what I told you at the start. Determination, head down,

push, push. Let's go, Linda, before I back out! Keep pushing. Can you

hold the hand rails? You can. Keep pushing. Suck it up. Keep going.

Come on. It's nearly holiday time coming but only the legs and the

bum. I will have no bum at the end of this! OK, a third in the way

there. Keep going. Push, push! You are doing good. We are down into

single figures. You can do this. Keep telling yourself that and you

will. Four floors! Go! Go! Push, push. Go on. Hurray! 27. That is one

of the toughest things I have ever done. No body double, no stuntman.

Linda, thank you. You think you're tough enough, you, big lad?

I have been told by everyone I am crazy to do it. I am feeling a bit

of pressure to defend my goal. is with you as well. You are doing

an event that might be a little more hard-core. Ultimate firefighter at

the Titanic Slipways. And the bench press, a new event for me this year.

Good luck. Have a good time in Belfast.

Running alongside the competition, the Games hold true to their

original ethos of comradeship. I am Tina Icorn and this is My Games.

I am a police officer in Southern California. I have been assigned to

patrol for over 20 years. At the World Police and Fire Games in

Belfast, I will begin eating in the police action pistol. -- I will be

competing. You have to shoot, reload, current rounds, make sure we

hit the targets we are supposed to shoot. The big Games promote

camaraderie between law-enforcement and firefighting communities but it

is the atmosphere of the Games and the host city that makes it a very

social event. I can walk into a restaurant alone, but I will not

buying alone, because a local or another competitor will ask me to

sit down with them. My best friends at the Games also compete in

pistol. I see Stewart and Robert every two years at the Games. It is

a big event for them. We are looking forward to being flatmates in

Belfast so can share experiences, plan our days and compete together.

We are so excited to see each other, we have been e-mailing back and

forth for weeks. I am looking forward to seeing friends I have

made over the years, especially the boys with the South Wales football

team. And making new friendships. It will be great to meet the locals and

experience all the culture Belfast has to offer.

I am delighted to say, Tina is with me in the arena. Great to have you

here. Amazing atmosphere. You have brought you to friends. yes, it is

great to be here and I had brought my lifelong friends. This is Stewart

from Nevada, this is from -- robber from Queensland. Stuart, you have

become friends throughout these Games. What is so special about them

for you you make just the lifelong friends, you meet somebody, you are

constantly in contact with them, see them every two years. That is what

the World Police and Fire Games is all about, camaraderie. Bob, how

special are these two people in your life two it is great to come to

these events and meeting new people, we can easily identify, interests

and create new ones as we go along. We hope you have a great Games,

thank you and enjoy the rest. Belfast rocks! The PSNI have a squad

of athletes competing in a wide variety of events over the next few

days. Cull what's going on here? Were just doing a bit for the World

Police and Fire Games. Am I on TV? We are tried to do some work here.

If you are competing, I want to talk to the best. This is my gig this

week. I am sure you're all right. Very, very good. I do actually

competing this week? Yes, yes.You are not really an elite athlete.

Cull excuse me! I am the ultimate PSNI officer. What is that?

compete in darts and booze. There is the 100 metres dash. I had better

go. We are playing Gillick football. I had better go. Good luck to Billy.

Even though the Opening Ceremony is taking pace in Belfast, you can

still catch some Games actions in one of 41 venues across the country.

I am a firefighter, I work for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue

Service. My main sport as mountain biking. We have a brand-new venue

here. It has taken 12 months to complete. The track is very

challenging and very demanding. We have had one race on it already.

People have been saying how good it is. The trail is of international

standards so it is great to have the Games here to show these guys what

we have to offer. I am a firefighter and I am stationed in Dundalk. The

World Police and Fire Games, I had to take part in it. I am going to

take part in the downhill competition. We are here as often as

we can. It opens the door to endless opportunities. I would like to

finish high in the ranking. But at the end of the day, I will be happy

to have a good run and smile. firefighter in the Northern Ireland

Fire and Rescue Service. I am stationed in Glengormley. This is an

international event, so we look forward to seeing the standard on

the podium this year, it is a bonus. But the main aim to get out there

and meet other people with similar interest and enjoy your day. This

was an opportunity not to be missed. I took part in the Games in

Vancouver and had an amazing experience. I met a lot of different

people and I have made a lot of friends. A lot of them have

travelled to Northern Ireland to take part in the mutton biking

event. I can't wait for all the guys to come across and have a plate and

show them what we have in Northern Ireland. -- have a pint we are close

to light in the cauldron, signifying the official start of the game.

The Flame of Hope has been carried around the country by officers from

the PSNI and An Garda Siochana, accompanied by a special Olympians

from across our land. It was also a great chance for schoolchildren to

meet the Games mascot, Emergency Eddie. He is very funny. Cull I

would like to see the swimming and the running and maybe the stair

race. The swimming and a hockey. the torch, the pipes and drums of

the PSNI signalled the start of the ceremonial section of this

evening's event. It was then the responsibility of Mike Graham,

President of the Games, to introduce a familiar face to the Belfast

crowd. Finally, after its long journey across Ireland, the Flame of

Hope, carried by police officers and special Olympians, made its way

towards the cauldron. And who else could light the flame, but Northern

Ireland's very own golden girl, Dame delighted to say, the President of

the World Police and Fire Games is with me, Mike Graham. What do you

make of the atmosphere? It has been electric, I cannot believe what a

wonderful event this has been tonight. It is thrilling to see all

of Belfast coming out to impress these wonderful Games, it is good to

be a fabulous ten days. You have seen so many Games, how does well

fast stack up two so far, it is the friendliest Games we have seen.

Really looking forward to the rest of the week. This is just a

precursor of what we are going to see for the rest of the week.

hope you have a great time, thank you and good luck.

The chair of the World Police and Fire Games board is the PSNI Deputy

Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie. What has the Busby mike among your

officers? It has been fantastic. So many officers taking part from local

services, it is great to see. There is some friendly rivalry between

them as well. You are competing yourself? I am taking part in the

charity dodge ball. My secret weapon is game Terry, who is playing in our

team. I am looking forward to that. from Washington, USA. These are my

first Games. My mum is a firefighter mum, it has always been a dream job

to me. I love going to work every day. I love being with the people I

am with. Helping people. We are competing in the toughest competitor

collide this year. My mum did it 15 years ago and I am hoping to beat

her score. -- the toughest competitor alive. She usually wins

at everything, so this is my chance. It is like a five K run, shot putt,

100 meter dash, 100 metres swim, rope climb, bench press, pull ups,

and an obstacle course, all in the one day. I was here 15 years ago and

I think she will exceed my expectations. IMac that fact I am

excited to be here in Northern Ireland. To be here with my mum, who

has inspired me to become a firefighter, is the icing on the

cake. The next performance item has been specially composed for this

evening's ceremony, by John Anderson. Dare To Dream features a

host of musicians, voices and that is, all of whom have their roots in

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

Northern Ireland. -- voices and The news is very often filled with

the stories of catastrophes around the world.

It is the job of many of the men and women here tonight to face those

disasters, to be the first on the scene and put the lives of others

before their own. For many people above -- across the

globe, the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11

2001 unfolded in front of our eyes. Almost 3000 people lost their lives

that day. Among them were 343 firefighters who had rushed to

answer the call that morning. For the firefighters who survived, life

would never be the same. That day, we really didn't believe we had lost

all those firemen. We thought they were trapped in the building. I

think it would be too much for me to handle, to think about all the

people that we lost that day. I personally knew 50 of those guys.

Everybody had to report in. We automated, we worked 24 hours on, 24

hours on -- off for a couple of weeks. Everybody did what they had

to do. Everybody was docked tired. -- everybody was docked tired.

really tired. We would lose a firefighter from time to time. It

was really traumatic. But having to go to 343 funerals or memorial

services, that was something that nobody could ever imagine doing in

their life. I guess it's human nature to push on. We pulled

together, we went to a lot of funerals. We were busy doing that

for quite a long time. Just working together and discussing how we felt

and how other people felt made it more comfortable for us. The fire

service has taken care of us. A lot of us had post-traumatic stress

disorder and through the work of our peers and peer counsellors, I have

seen a bunch of us recover and get much better after ten or 11 years

since the incident. The team is a good bunch of guys. Veterans who

have been there, seen it all. look down the bench, you see a lot

of experience. They experienced 911. Especially on this team. Another

great day. Brothers for ever. Let's have a drink two brothers who are no

longer with us. We miss them so much. To the brothers!Well said,

Chris. Belfast artist Brian Kennedy joined the crowd to pay a tribute to

the fallen heroes, those officers who have lost their lives in the

line of duty since the last Games. # you raise me up, so I can stand on

mountains # you raise me up to walk on stormy season # I am stronger

when I am your -- I am on your shoulders, you raise me up to more

than I can be # there is no life, no life without its hunger.

# but then you come and I am filled with wonder, sometimes I think I

glimpse it turned the. . # where's my choir?

# you raise me up so I can stand on mountains of you raise me up to walk

on stormy season, and I am strong, when I am on your shoulders, you

raise me up to more than I can be...

# you raise me up to more than I can be... . # thank you so much!

And to bring tonight was a ceremony to a close, the organisers have

organised a special return to Northern Ireland for Andrea Begley

who was crowned winner of the voice UK -- The Voice 2013.

# for you, there will be no crying, # for you, the sun will be shining,

because I feel that when I'm with you, it's all right, I know it's all

right # and the songbirds keep singing like they know the score,

and I love you, I love you, I love you, like never before...

# to you, I would give the world # to you, I'll never grow cold,

because I feel that when I'm with you, it's all right, I know it's all

right. # and the songbirds keep singing

like they know the score, and I love you, I love you, I love you, like

never before # like never before, like never before.

# thank you. What a great way to end this opening

ceremony. We loved it, but wanted the audience think. Music was great,

people are friendly here. ceremony was beautiful, really good.

I loved it. The opening ceremony was fantastic. It was great to look and

see, very great. The ceremony was awesome. I loved it. It's everything

that you would expect in the Olympics. I had a good time. Well

done to Belfast. The 2013 Games are up and running.

If you want to catch some of the sporting action, events are taking

place all across the country. Most are open to the public and free. You