Winnipeg to host 2023 World Police and Fire Games
The fittest firefighters and cops in the world are coming to Winnipeg ... in 2023.
On Sunday, the World Police and Fire Games announced that Winnipeg will be the host city in five years' time, beating out San Diego and Adelaide, Australia.
- Montreal cancels 2017 World Police and Fire Games after boycots due to labour dispute
- Australian firefighters to boycott Montreal police and fire games
United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Alex Forrest said it could be one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in Winnipeg. They're preparing to host 10,000 firefighters, police officers, corrections officers, conservation officers and border officials from 70 countries, as well as thousands of family members and coaches.
In comparison, 5,083 athletes came for the 1999 Pan Am Games, and over 4,000 are in town over the course of the ongoing Canada Summer Games.
- 'It's a huge impact': Canada Summer Games set to boost business in a big way
- Grey Cup festivities expected to rake in millions for Winnipeg's economy
If other cities are any indication, Winnipeg can expect tens of millions of dollars in economic impact — a report from Ottawa estimates it brought $84 million into the city.
"We have been working for this day since 2008," Forrest said in a press release.
