2000 Battle of the Badges
enjoys record turnout
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Every other year, since 1971, the International Law Enforcement Games are held to challenge and inspire law enforcement officials brought together from around the world. Initially counting 100 participants in its debut year, the 2000 Games, held here recently, welcomed more than 5,000 competitors from such faraway locations as Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, and Australia.
Among the returning participants was Nick Forgione, a 78-year-old retired Philadelphia police officer. Forgione, a 17-year cancer survivor and 10-time gold medalist in cycling, captured two silver medals in cycling.
The Games featured 48 different types of competitions, such as arm wrestling, softball, police motorcycle, chess, skeet and trap, triathlon, and the now-famous Toughest Cop Alive competition, which challenges participants to run, swim, climb, press, pull and crawl their way through back-to-back maneuvers. It consistently tests training, stamina and skill. Everything went real smooth,Norm Demers, executive director, ILEG, who has been organizing the event since 1985, told Police. With 5,600 participants, it was a great success.
Denise Bibee, editorial assistant, Police
