The World Police and Fire games began on Wednesday and Fermanagh is being represented by two athletes who will be looking to continue their decorated history in the games.
Robbie Bryson, assistant district commander for Enniskillen Fire Station will be entering a number of events along with local canoeist Gerry Murphy.
“I’m doing the hill climb on road bike at Stormont on Wednesday (today) and on the Monday I’m back doing The Donard and Commedagh Race mountain running race,” explained Robbie.
“I’m also doing three orienteering events on Monday August 5th and on the Thursday and Friday.”
Robbie has been busy training ahead of the games and has already been to the Mournes a couple of times as part of his preparations. He has also spent time training with Fermanagh orienteerers to ensure he is in the best possible position to bring home the golds.
This is not Robbie’s first games and he has previously been part of a number of police and fire games around the world.
In Melbourne, Australia in the mid 1990s Robbie won a silver in the cross country, while in Calgary a couple of years later he won three golds. In Vancouver four years ago Robbie won the bike hill climb and the ground mountain race collecting a further two golds. He is hoping to add a few more to the collection, but knows he faces a tough task.
“I think I have a good enough chance in the hill race and in the orienteering, but that depends how many Scandinavians turn up. I would say two out of the five I have a good chance.”
Well known canoeist Gerry Murphy is another taking part in the games and is taking on a mammoth 10 different events. He is contesting the hill climb on the bike with Robbie, three rowing events, three kayaking events and if he has time the surf kayaking. Gerry too will be hoping to add some more golds to the collection over the two weeks of competition.
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