MINDEMOYA—Steve Redmond, a constable with the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) won a silver medal in the triathlon, competing in the World Police and Fire Games 2023.
“I’m kind of regretting that I’ve never competed in these games before,” Mr. Redmond told The Expositor. “I’ve had such a great time over the past three days. I had friends that competed in the games around 1999-2000 in Australia and they had told me how great and how much fun they had. And I had people I met at these games saying they have been coming to the games for 16 years and have competed eight times.”
Mr. Redmond explained the World Police and Fire Games are normally held every two years but were delayed due to the pandemic. The last Games event was held in China in 2018. This year’s games were held in Winnipeg, Manitoba from July 28-August 6. The Olympic-style competition drew over 8,500 athletes from over 60 countries taking part in over 63 different sports.
“There were over 8,500 athletes take part from all over the world, places like Belgium, Spain, Rio de Janeiro,” said Mr. Redmond. He pointed out enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, customs officers, beach police and many more take part.
“I won a silver medal in my age group, 50-54, in the Triathlon under Olympic rules. The Triathlon includes a 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre bicycle ride and 10-kilometre run,” said Mr. Redmond who acknowledged, “My legs are pretty tired after all that.”
“Swimming is my downfall,” said Mr. Redmond, who pointed out officials make sure every athlete follows the Olympic rules in competition. “If, for example, you don’t have your helmet on before you get on the bike to ride, you are penalized.”
Mr. Redmond was pleased, “my kids joined me on this venture and cheered me on. My sons Tom and Matthew with his girlfriend Alicia were on the trip with me.”
“The Games have a main committee that oversees everything at the games, and the venues, officials and the judges provide an Olympic type of experience,” said Mr. Redmond.
Mr. Redmond, who trains regularly for the triathlon, is already looking forward to competing in the games again. “I’m thinking about competing in Alabama in 2025. I might just be hooked by this year’s competition, and I train all the time. So, I’m thinking about it.”
In 2022 Mr. Redmond also won a gold medal in the triathlon at the Can-Am North American Games held in Windsor, Ontario.
