Dublin Hosts the Can-Am Games

"Following hard on the heels of the Dublin Irish Festival is a double-edged sword," began Joel Campbell introducing the 2010 Can-Am Games to Dublin AM Rotary. 

"We start the week after the Irish Festival. The Festival is a tough act to follow.  We can, however, use some of the set-up for the festival for the Games and perhaps some of the big crowds from the Festival will be drawn to the games. One thing is certain, though, the games will help provide great exposure for the City of Dublin throughout the country and the world,"  said Joel.

Dublin is a new and different venue for the games in many ways, and not just because the games go to a new location every time they are held: "This is the first time the games have been held east of the Mississippi River," said Joel.

"Thanks to the City of Dublin and our volunteers, the 750 competitors and their families will have a good feeling about being here and will go back to their communities with great memories.  The games will have a positive social and financial impact for us, helping to fill the local hotels in what is typically a slow time while providing recognition and camaraderie for the police and firefighters in our area. We have raised more than $100,000 from our sponsors to help ensure that the games are successful and visitors and competitors enjoy them."
 
Josh Bricker of the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau and Director of Can-Am Games, further explained the economic impact and provided details about the games themselves.

"The aim is to increase the economic impact of sporting events on and for the City," explained Josh. "We couldn't do these games without the help of the City, volunteers (including many local police and firefighters), and the great venues provided by the schools. 750 competitors are here from 39 states and provinces, representing nine different countries. And we are presenting Dublin to the world in a new way.  We know the Memorial Tournament gets us lots of visibility, but we have sent flyers about the games to every police and fire station in the country and are reaching people who may never have heard of Dublin before." 

The games, Rotarians will be pleased to hear, do benefit two worthy causes:  "All proceeds go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and 'Get Behind the Badge,' a charity that helps police injured in the line of work and their families right here in Central Ohio." The games themselves are "the Olympics for police and firefighters and allow displays of skill and strength in many areas that improve their work."
Josh said most of the 45 events will be right here in Dublin, but a few events (such as the Skyscraper Climb at LaVeque Tower or some of the shooting skills events) are offsite. Some events are mostly for fun, though the level of skill can be high and the competition fierce:  billiards, darts, and Texas Hold'em. Other events are gruelingly difficult:  arm wrestling, dead lift, Judo, Karate, power lifting, wrestling, and Tug-O-War.

Perhaps the most popular spectator event involves not just the police but man's best friend:  "The K9 competition embraces narcotics detecting, obedience, and apprehension of criminals, when a man in a padded suit gets to see what it like to be attacked by trained German Shepherds,"  Josh noted.

The Opening Ceremony is this Sunday, August 15th, from 4:30 to 9:00 PM. Said Josh, "It will be a great, family-friendly event.  Admission is free.  Kids and their parents will be able to sit in MedFlight and Ohio Police helicopters. The police will battle the firefighters in a tug-o-war. The K9 units will show off the talents. Food and beverages will be on hand, and Phil Dirt and the Dozers will play a concert. There will also be an honor guard. Attending this event will not only be fun but also a great way to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who do so much to protect us all.

The Closing Ceremonies on August 21st, from 5 PM to 1 AM, will offer even more fun. Come on out and enjoy a great event that is also great for Dublin."  For more details, a list of sponsors, or a schedule of events, visit http://www.DublinCanAmGames.com .