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The IPA Games - Romania 2024 Karen Duckworth , VP Social and Culture/IBZ Gimborn Lead and Andy Amos - Herts

The 2024 IPA Games in Braşov, Romania was a winner on so many levels. Taking place between 19th – 24th May, it was the perfect platform to exhibit IPA credentials of friendship, connectivity, health + wellbeing and like-minded enjoyment.

I t embraced the sheer joy of taking part in sport , as well as the competitive edge of wanting to do well or win. IPA Section Romania really did pull out all the stops to make this the biggest and best event to date. With a comprehensive registration process starting months before the Games themselves, they had accounted for everything including travel to and from the airport (a transfer of 3 ½ hours, so no mean feat with so many athletes arriving at so many different times). Team Section UK had 11 competitors across the sports of running (5k), judo, 9mm pistol shooting and table tennis. We had some experienced team members who had not only taken part in Portugal (2020) and Montenegro (2022), but who also compete in other competitions like the Police Sport UK and World Fire and Police Games. We also had some team members new to the IPA, plus social sportsmen and women. So, Team Section UK represented the full range of talent and epitomized everything the Games are about – getting stuck in and enjoying every moment, no matter what level you are competing at.

Romanian flag bearer, with an enormous sense of pride. Team members who described it at previous events as a little like the Olympics were not wrong. And what a sight it was to see all the various countries in their team tracksuits and Games polo shirts in the shadow of such a magnificent setting. There was a reception for team organisers in the castle following the ceremony, which was a privilege. I had no idea that the castle (and the area) had such a strong connection to our own Royal Family. Tuesday and Wednesday were all about the competitions and getting right behind our teammates en masse. We started with judo where we had John and Elliot in the 100KG over and under respectively. Both battled hard, but the Romanians were supreme (including the former Olympian who was part of their squad).

Our fab runners

Team Section UK

We were so proud of our boys (two medals) when we went on to table tennis. Alka, Bas and Brian giving their all in some excellent matches. Well done to all, and the spirit of sportsmanship was shining through from some of the other teams, who clearly played at a very high level. It was a pleasure to watch and enjoy. Also taking place in the morning was the shooting event, although something of a trek from the venue (the only event not within the complex). Mark, Andy, Brian and Peter were our shooters, although due to a bit of time-tabling confusion, Peter and Brian didn’t get to shoot. A relief for the other teams taking part, I’m sure. Wednesday saw us competing in the 5k running across several categories. First out of the blocks was Jenna who went on to win a medal in her age group. She was followed by Tristan who ran his heart out, making friends with the German team on the way round – although not so friendly as to not leave them in his wake as he sprinted for the finish. He was virtually adopted by the German team after the race. After that, Mark, Andy and Musaed took to the track, and had brilliant races, bringing home a team medal in their category and a two individual medals.

After a slight judder of a start when we arrived, we landed at ‘The Home of the IPA Games 2024’ – Cheile Grădiştei Resort Fundata, just outside of Bran (the location of Bran Castle – of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ fame) on the Sunday evening. It was a purpose-built multi-sport resort (amazing ski resort in the winter, I am sure) in the mountains. Everything the teams needed within one venue. Over 800 competitors from 30+ countries, as well as the legions of IPA Romania volunteers helping to organise and make the event run smoothly. When getting up in the morning, the view from the rooms was simply stunning across the fields to the mountain range beyond. A short walk to breakfast involved encountering one of the (very) wolf-like mountain dogs who lived on site and could tell straight away when food was being smuggled out. As Pete will testify, that dog would have you pinned to the wall if it thought you were carrying ham in your pocket! Monday was all about the Opening Ceremony in the grounds of the castle. Music, flags, pomp and ceremony in the blazing sun – it could not have been better. We marched on to the centre of the showground, behind our young

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POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.3, 2024