THUNDER BAY – Michele McKenzie will be making her Can-Am Police Fire Games debut next month.
The Thunder Bay Police Service sergeant is set to represent the force and the city when the Games open on July 16.
McKenzie will be competing in the toughest competitor alive competition, a challenging event with eight different components that test strength, speed and endurance.
“It gives everyone the opportunity to participate in a great event that brings a lot of camaraderie for the departments and services together,” she said at a media conference held Wednesday morning at the Canada Games Complex.
“People can’t believe it’s only a month away.”
McKenzie and Const. Frank Tropea provided a brief demonstration of the toughest competitor alive event, hitting the gym for chin-ups and bench press work.
The event, which will be held on July 23 and 24 at the Fort William Stadium and Canada Games Complex, also includes a 100-metre sprint, five-kilometre run, shotput, 100-metre swim, 20-foot rope climb and a gruelling obstacle course.
“It’s very hard to find time in the day working shift work and everything to get all the events in. It’s very different going from shot put to hands only rope climb and then to the swim,” McKenzie said.
“I think once you get to the base of the strength and add a bit of the cardio in it will be a really good day.”
Police chief J.P. Levesque said the department has nearly 70 members registered to compete in the Games, which has more than 30 different events.
“We’ve got some people who take their fitness very seriously, which is good given what we do for a living,” Levesque said.
Games manager Doug Henry said organizers are expecting hundreds of athletes, as well as their families, to arrive in Thunder Bay next month.
Planning for the event has been five years in the making.
“Right now the excitement builds. We’re excited to see it happen and put on a great Games,” Henry said.
“You’re going to see a lot more in the next month about the events that are taking place, where they’re happening and what time. We expect we’ll have that groundswell of support.”
Nearly 400 people have signed up to volunteer and Henry said organizers are still looking for an additional 100 volunteers.
The OPP Golden Helmets motorcycle precision team is being brought in to help with the opening ceremonies on July 17.
All proceeds from the Games go towards the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay and the local chapter of Special Olympics Ontario.
“Ultimately we want people to have a good time and compete well but at the end of the day we’re raising money for two of our selected charities,” Levesque said. “Making them money is ultimately what we’re looking for.”
