2017 World Police & Fire Games
In a fitting tribute to first responders worldwide, the 2017 World Police & Fire Games got underway in the “City of Angels” with some 10,000 participants from nearly 70 countries.
Over 30 locations in the Southern California, USA sphere hosted 60 sporting disciplines, with the track and Field portion of the meet finding the first-rate home at West Los Angeles College.
Billed as the “second largest international” sporting gathering globally boasting a volunteer roster in excess of 4000.
As expected the quality of Masters competitors gracing the oval and circles at WLAC proved both determined and well-tested. Certitude among athletes and ideal conditions conspired, resulting in a significant record-setting offensive.
Among a handful of new standard setters:
Phoenix AZ Fire Department’s Angela Herzner (W42) set three records starting with shredded the old 400 mH standard by 23 seconds (1:40.88 to 1:17.82). She continued to certify her world-class presence in a multiple, record-setting weekend by high jumping 1.53 and throwing the hammer 40.06m.
Double record setters included Sonja Oost (W60) of the Drenthe Police Netherland in 100m & 200m; Margaret Dixon (W63) with the Oakland Police CA USA in High Jump & Shot Put; Yiry Usachev (M50) with the Russian Nat’l Police in 1500m & 3000mSC; Ronald Humphrey (M58) of the Chesapeake Sheriff VA USA in 400m & 400mH.
Also from Russian Nat’l Police, Natalia Tsyganova (W46) ran 1:02.40 to reset the 400m mark. Brazil Fed Police was well represented with three record setters: Thereza Neuman Freitas (W54) in Hammer; Sandra Azevedo (W60) in Long Jump; Dias, Fernando Freire (M72) in 1500m. Narinder Kaur (W38) and Chumki Chaudhary (W42) represented India Nat’l Police well by setting records in the hammer and javelin respectively.
Tim Edwards (M53) of Scottsdale Police AZ USA broke US Throws Pentathlon record holder’s, Jim Wetenhall, 12 year old Discus record with a 47.18m toss.
Hometown distance performer Lisa Herman (Los Angeles PD) who smashed the previous W50 mark at 1500m (5:39.42) set in 2011, with an outstanding showing of 5:27.80.
Fairfax, VA PD, long sprinter, John Curtis (M50), a familiar face on the podium at major the United States meets including the prestigious Penn Relays and USATF Masters Track and Field Championships seized the opportunity in a big way, grabbing hold of the 200 and 400m titles in strong fashion. Curtis adeptly dipped under the six-year-old MR (24.88) at 200m, clocking 24.50.
The next biennial gathering of the Games is set for Chengdu, China on August 8-18, 2019.
Coming soon: hear from the athletes who serve our communities worldwide. Thank you for all you do for us.