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A vast array of sporting events to be held across Sichuan province capital, Liang Kaiyan reports.
The 2019 World Police and Fire Games makes its Asian debut in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, on Thursday, adding another feather in the cap of the historic city.
The games will be held from Aug 8 to 18 across 34 venues in nine parallel sessions around the provincial capital. There will be a total of 56 events including boxing, darts, indoor rowing and special programs for police and firefighters, such as stair climbing and police motorcycle events, organizers said.
The WPFG is a biennial athletic event, open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel from across the world. It is the first time in the event's 34-year history that it is taking place in Asia.
To date, the event has attracted more than 10,000 athletes from 80 countries and regions including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The organizing committee has advertised the event in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, so some 20 countries which had never taken part in the games previously have decided to send delegations to Chengdu, said Larry Collins, president of the California Police Athletic Federation, the governing body for the WPFG.
In a bid to better serve the athletes from around the world, Chengdu has recruited more than 6,000 volunteers, including college students and primary and secondary school English teachers, according to an official from the Office of 2019 Chengdu WPFG Preparatory Committee.
"During the event, Chengdu will provide participants with free public transportation and preferential prices for scenic spots, hotels and airline tickets," the official said, adding that most local attractions will be open for free to WPFG participants with valid certificates.
The attractions include the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the Chengdu Museum, the Dujiangyan ancient irrigation system, the Qingcheng Mountain scenic site famed for Taoism culture, the Kuanzhai Alley and the Dufu Thatched Cottage.
The city has also prepared a sophisticated emergency medical service for the event, involving 204 doctors and 162 nurses from 68 local hospitals, according to the Chengdu Health Commission.
Officials from the police and fire departments from the games' participating countries and regions will participate in forums on police affairs and exhibitions of police and fire equipment.
Major international sports events can not only energize the host city, but also help to improve its image and expand its global influence. Chengdu's effort in building itself into a destination for global sports events helps the city to connect with the rest of the world.
In recent years, the city has hosted a growing number of international sports events.
This year, Chengdu held a series of events including the International Fencing Federation Women's Epee World Cup (China) in March the International Triathlon Union's Triathlon World Cup in May and the International Universities Rowing Race in July.
Chengdu has also won the bid to host the 31st Summer Universiade in 2021, the 56th World Team Table Tennis Championships in 2022 and the World Games in 2025.
In 2018, the local government issued a three-year action plan to build Chengdu into a host city for world events.
From 2018 to 2020, Chengdu is expected to host 67 international sporting events, of which 50 percent will be at the level above intercontinental championship and 40 percent will feature the city's proprietary brands and local culture according to the plan.
(CHINA DAILY)
