Podium for Controlpack runner at the World Police & Fire Games 2011
Carlos Callarissa, one of the 6 firefighters from Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre who participated in the World Police & Fire Games (WPFG), held this year in New York, has returned from North American lands with silver and bronze medals in the cycling events (criterium and time trial climbing).
The Police and Fire Olympic Games is a competition that annually brings together the best athletes in this profession, and in which the Controlpack runner has already won in previous editions.
In these terms he expressed himself for the Diari Ebre of Tarragona before leaving for New York:
In what modalities do you participate in the games?
I have always practiced cycling and I am presenting myself for this sport. The public thinks that cycling is only road cycling, but that's not the case. I participate in five different events.
Is the goal to repeat the medals won in Australia and Canada?
This is a question that worried me a lot, but I thought: I didn't make a living with these competitions, I'm going to enjoy myself, do my best, defend the sponsors and if I win medals, great.
How is travel paid for?
Each participant has to find for himself the way to finance the expenses of going to the games, in this sense, I must thank the collaboration of the companies Controlpack and Hotel Nova Sénia, from La Sénia. The Cos de Bombers de la Generalitat de Catalunya published a calendar in which we were some of the volunteer firefighters as 'Full Monty' in order to raise funds to cover part of the expenses of those who traveled to New York. The Generalitat only facilitates changes of shifts or vacations to be able to attend. When we returned from the Vancouver games, the Government Delegation of Terres de l'Ebre offered a small tribute to the firefighter Jordi Bort, from Alcanar, and to me in recognition of the medals we got.
How do you combine your work with training?
Every year I get my cycling license and compete at the regional level throughout the year. I plan the season according to the dates of these championships. In July I slowed down and, starting in August, I intensified my training to get in shape for the games that take place these days. Now, with the job I have, in shifts, I have free time and that allows me to train often.
Is heat a handicap?
Not necessarily. Keep in mind that the most important cycling competition, which is the Tour de France, is held in the middle of July, when it is the hottest. You have to adapt to the heat and go out to train earlier or at dusk so as not to go at noon, when the sun is at its hottest.
Has the tenth anniversary of the Twin Towers attack determined that the games will be held in New York?
Many commemorative events are planned during the games and on September 11. Many activities are planned for the tourists who will remain there after the games are over.
What has caught your attention from previous editions?
There are many varieties of games, among them the tirasoga, a rural and traditional game very well known in the popular festivities of the villages. There are others exclusive to these games, for example shooting, where mostly policemen participate, apart from the usual sports such as athletics, soccer, cycling and many more. You don't know the level of the rivals, since you only meet them every two years. A good performance can leave you on the verge of a medal in some games and a worse performance can give you a medal in the next ones.
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