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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Firefighters seek gold in Games | Firefighters seek gold in Games |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| More than 5,000 firefighters from across the globe have descended on Merseyside for the 10th World Firefighters Games. | |
| The biennial event features officers from 38 countries pitting their strength and skills against each other in 72 different sports. | The biennial event features officers from 38 countries pitting their strength and skills against each other in 72 different sports. |
| The Echo Arena staged the opening ceremony at 1500 BST. | The Echo Arena staged the opening ceremony at 1500 BST. |
| Heading the sporting challenges is the Toughest Firefighter Alive event, which takes place on Wednesday. | Heading the sporting challenges is the Toughest Firefighter Alive event, which takes place on Wednesday. |
| To win the ultimate honour, competitors must roll up a hose, carry an 80kg dummy for around 100 metres and climb the 550 steps up the Radio City Tower while wearing breathing apparatus. | To win the ultimate honour, competitors must roll up a hose, carry an 80kg dummy for around 100 metres and climb the 550 steps up the Radio City Tower while wearing breathing apparatus. |
| Football, swimming and horse riding are among the other events being held. | Football, swimming and horse riding are among the other events being held. |
| 'Quality athletes' | 'Quality athletes' |
| Dave Robinson, general manager of the games, said: "As in the Olympics we have a medals table at the end and people compete as an individual and for their country. | Dave Robinson, general manager of the games, said: "As in the Olympics we have a medals table at the end and people compete as an individual and for their country. |
| "We are looking forward to a fantastic competition. There are some real quality athletes although the games are very inclusive." | "We are looking forward to a fantastic competition. There are some real quality athletes although the games are very inclusive." |
| Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP officially opened the tournament and competitors took part in a midday parade. | Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP officially opened the tournament and competitors took part in a midday parade. |
| A waterfront display by the Fire Service jet skis and marine boat will also be held and will end with a world-record breaking 'Hey-Jude-sing-a-thon' to mark the city's Beatles link. | A waterfront display by the Fire Service jet skis and marine boat will also be held and will end with a world-record breaking 'Hey-Jude-sing-a-thon' to mark the city's Beatles link. |
| Merseyside Chief Fire Officer Tony McGuirk said: "We expect these to be the biggest and most successful Games ever." | Merseyside Chief Fire Officer Tony McGuirk said: "We expect these to be the biggest and most successful Games ever." |
| The first World Firefighters Games was staged in New Zealand in 1990. | The first World Firefighters Games was staged in New Zealand in 1990. |