LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The opening ceremony for the 2017 World Police and Fire Games was held here Monday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum drawing more than 8,000 participants from all over the world.
Active and retired police officers and firefighters from more than 70 countries and regions will compete in 65 events, such as soccer, basketball, cycling, swimming and mud run, during the 11-day Olympics-style competition, which will continue through August 16. The World Police and Fire Games have been held every two years since 1985.
The next World Police and Fire Games will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China in 2019.
The Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, welcomed participants to the city of Angeles, and said word "hello" in different languages, including Spanish, Chinese and Japanese among others.
China has sent the largest delegation of around 500 athletes to participate.
"The event will enhance exchanges and cooperation on police affairs between police officers and firefighters from China and other countries," said Chinese official Liu Weihua.
"Chinese police officers will present their good spirit to the world," he added.
Xie Lu has won China's first gold medal, from an open-water swimming race.
