World Police and Fire Games Kick Off
Team USA enters the opening ceremony for the WPFG.
Despite the impending hurricane, more than 15,000 athletes from 75 countries descended upon Brooklyn on Aug. 26 for the opening ceremony to the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG).
The Olympic-style games feature 65 sporting events, which will be held throughout the area for 11 days.
"We're celebrating all of you from around the world who were there for us 10 years ago [during 9/11]," Bill Miccio, Vice President for the Games, said during the ceremony in Prospect Park. "We'll never forget."
The event featured a march of the athletes, and performances by Dave Matthews and the Broadway musical "Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark."
"You're here so we can say 'thank you,'" joked Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano.