LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Competition begins in earnest today in the 2017 World Police & Fire Games, with events in 20 sports throughout the Los Angeles area.
Tuesday's events include boxing and wrestling at the Los Angeles Convention Center, bowling at the Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City, a cycling time trial in Acton, racquetball at The Claremont Club, shooting at the Los Angeles Police Academy, softball at Big League Dreams in West Covina, tennis at Griffith Park and track and field at West Los Angeles College.
Approximately 8,000 active and retired police officers and firefighters from more than 70 nations will compete in 65 events in the biennial 11-day Olympics-style competition, which will continue through Aug. 16.
Cycling races were held Sunday and Monday and the opening ceremony Monday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
LAPD Officers Michael Braun, Jahna Rinaldi and Yvette Holcombe won medals in Monday's hill climb cycling race in Castaic.
“We wear different patches and badges and uniforms and even speak different languages, but everyone comes together here with the competitive spirit, give it everything they have and when they're done, shake hands, pat each other on the back, wish each other well and everybody goes back to their work place two weeks from now and you wish them nothing but safety,'' Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell told Fox11.