A prestigious global event reminiscent of the Olympic Games, the World Police and Fire Games attract amateur athletes representing public safety professions (Police, Firefighters, correctional officers, and Customs agents).
Created in 1985 and held biennially, this event is the second largest global sporting event after the Summer Olympics.
The Games feature an opening ceremony in front of 80,000 people, 10,000 athletes, over 60 countries, 62 disciplines, 54 coordinators, 47 competition venues, 4,000 volunteers, and generate more than $50,000,000 in economic impact.
Maxime Brandimarte, a national police officer in Nice, Vice President and boxing coach of the GSEM (Municipal Employees’ Sports Group), will represent the city of Nice in English Boxing.
But who is Maxime?
“I started English boxing 14 years ago. I participated in my first World Games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1999, where I won the gold medal in English boxing, equivalent to the world police-firefighter championship title!
I won a silver medal two years later in Indianapolis, USA, and a bronze in 2003 in Barcelona.”
And his team?
“There are three preparing me for D-day. There’s Habib Sahour, junior and senior French boxing champion and member of the French national boxing team, who works for the OPAC. Michel Greco, President of the GSEM, 2002 French full-contact champion and municipal employee.
Michel Le Corre, with his 142 fights, is a professional European full-contact champion and security manager at Casino Ruhl.”
How about the preparation?
It’s an intensive 3 and a half month training divided into three parts:
– Endurance training based on running
– Strength training
– Ring work
I would like to point out that my training is made possible thanks to the training facilities provided by GSEM.
His goals?
At 34, this is my last participation in this competition, so the only thing to bring back is the gold medal! It’s because of the importance of the event that we prepare so much, and I regret that sports in the French police are not sufficiently recognized and supported.
This exceptional opportunity to box in front of more than 1,000 people, I owe it, of course, to my trainers but especially to the city of Nice, to GSEM, to Mr. Ricardo Genovese, Mr. Max de Beaulieu, to Casino Ruhl, Mr. Debono and Chpilotoff, and to Samouraï.
To all, thank you!
Thank you, and good luck on your journey to the gold medal.
