Montréal, August 31, 2011 – Montréal has just been chosen as the host city for the 2017 World Police and Fire Games, to be held from July 26 to August 8, 2017. Competing with Toronto (Canada) and Chengdu (China) at the last stage of the selection process, Montréal pulled ahead to capture the nomination by showcasing its numerous attractions and assets.
The bid committee that led the project was comprised of representatives from the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SIM – Montréal Fire Department), the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM – Montréal Police Department), and Tourisme Montréal. Mr. Gérald Tremblay, the Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Serge Tremblay, Director of SIM, Mr. Marc Parent, SPVM Police Chief, and the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal, were all on hand in New York (where the Games are being held this year) to promote the city’s many attributes during the final presentation held yesterday (August 25).
“We are thrilled to receive such wonderful news and look forward to welcoming this grand sporting event in Montréal in 2017,” states the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the organizing committee, and congratulate them on an admirable job,” he added.
Created in 1985, the World Police and Fire Games is a biennial event that brings together active and retired firefighters, police officers, customs officials, and correctional officers from over 55 countries to participate in some 60 different sporting events, including hockey, volleyball, tennis, boxing, swimming, and cycling.
Thanks to the Games, Montréal will welcome over 10,000 athletes and their families. Between 20,000 and 30,000 people are expected to attend, which will represent some 27,000 nights in local hotels.