This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23519209
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| World Police and Fire Games opening ceremony in Belfast | World Police and Fire Games opening ceremony in Belfast |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The World Police and Fire Games 2013 will be officially opened at a ceremony in Belfast later. | The World Police and Fire Games 2013 will be officially opened at a ceremony in Belfast later. |
| It is the first time the 10-day event has been held in the United Kingdom, and 6,700 international competitors have entered. | It is the first time the 10-day event has been held in the United Kingdom, and 6,700 international competitors have entered. |
| It is the largest sporting event to take place in Northern Ireland. | It is the largest sporting event to take place in Northern Ireland. |
| Over the next 10 days, competitors from 67 countries will take part in sports ranging from wrist wrestling to the "toughest competitor alive" contest. | Over the next 10 days, competitors from 67 countries will take part in sports ranging from wrist wrestling to the "toughest competitor alive" contest. |
| Over the course of the games, police officers, prison officers and firefighters from across the world will compete in 56 different sports at 42 different venues. The largest contingent of athletes is from America. | Over the course of the games, police officers, prison officers and firefighters from across the world will compete in 56 different sports at 42 different venues. The largest contingent of athletes is from America. |
| The ice hockey games and some other events such as handball have already gotten under way, but the official opening ceremony is due to take place at the King's Hall later. | |
| John Tully, chief executive of the games, said: "This is very much about welcoming the athletes and getting the games off to a fantastic start. All the events are free and the majority are accessible to the public, so it is a real opportunity for people to come along. | John Tully, chief executive of the games, said: "This is very much about welcoming the athletes and getting the games off to a fantastic start. All the events are free and the majority are accessible to the public, so it is a real opportunity for people to come along. |
| "We have 10 days of sporting competition and there is a huge sense of vibrancy and colour in the city. It has really set the tone for the friendliest games. I am very confident that we are going to have tremendous games in the days ahead." | "We have 10 days of sporting competition and there is a huge sense of vibrancy and colour in the city. It has really set the tone for the friendliest games. I am very confident that we are going to have tremendous games in the days ahead." |
| Preparations for the games began six years ago. | Preparations for the games began six years ago. |
| Extra police officers from Great Britain have been called in to help with security. About 30 officers, mostly dog-handlers, have been brought to Northern Ireland. | Extra police officers from Great Britain have been called in to help with security. About 30 officers, mostly dog-handlers, have been brought to Northern Ireland. |