Let the Games Begin: World Police and Fire Games Come to Los Angeles NA17059jr

WHAT: News Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Olympic Gateway Plaza 3911 S. Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90037

WHO: Los Angeles County Sheriff, Jim McDonnell LAPD Chief of Police, Charlie Beck LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby Chuck Foote, Director, California Police Athletic Federation 25+ World Police and Fire Games Athletes

WHY: Between August 7th – 16th Los Angeles will host the World Police and Fire Games with at least 10,000 athletes, all active or retired Peace Officers or Firefighters, from over 70 countries. Los Angeles Police Department’s Chief Charlie Beck will announce the games and invite officers and firefighters from around the world to register to compete. Joining Chief Beck will be Sheriff Jim McDonnell, LA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, and LA City Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas.

Additionally, business leaders, educators, organizations and community members in support of the event will accompany the Chiefs along with other City officials for the announcement.

The games feature over 65 different sports and skills, and draw up to 50,000 spectators. Barcelona, Melbourne, Stockholm and Belfast have hosted the games in previous years, and Los Angeles won the competitive bid for the 2017 games. The games not only help to promote physical fitness through spirited competition, they also build camaraderie among first responders and provide an opportunity to bring diverse cultures and communities together.

This year, the games will feature activities unique to the region including surfing, racquetball, CrossFit and motocross. As an introduction to the games, the Fire and Police Chiefs will compete in a 4-way bean bag toss to kick off the announcement.

ADDITIONAL: A live feed of the news conference can be viewed on Facebook/LAPD Headquarters (@theLAPD).

VISUALS: Police and Fire Chiefs competing in an event, several participating athletes (in uniform and equipment.)

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Sergeant Jack Richter, LAPD Media Relations Division at (213) 486-5910, or visit: www.LA17WPFG.com.