Lee Rowley checks-in ahead of his tilt at glory
An intrepid Birmingham Airport firefighter is preparing to put his body on the line, as he goes for gold at the 11th World Firefighter Games in South Korea.
Lee Rowley, who serves on the White Watch at Birmingham Airport, has ventured to Daegu, in the Land of the Morning Calm, for the showpiece event which boasts an opening ceremony to match the likes of the Olympics and World Cup. The games will see in excess of ten thousand athletes competing over nine action-packed days.
Flying from Birmingham to Seoul, via Dubai with Emirates, gave the former personal trainer and PE teacher the chance to collect some final messages of good luck from his colleagues, before he departed for the Far East. The 28-year-old is hoping he will return with a gold medal as just reward for the long, hard hours of training.
Hailing from 60 countries around the globe, the assembled firefighters will battle it out in 75 events and disciplines. All will be eyeing personal glory and the ultimate prize of the coveted ‘Firefighter World Champion’ title.
Lee Rowley says, “For a number of years I have dedicated a significant amount of time and energy into competing in what, I believe, is the showpiece of any athletic programme; the men’s 110m high hurdles. I’ve spent countless hours out on the track in preparation for this and I’ve enjoyed a reasonable amount of success in national competitions and I’m determined to bring home the gold with me.
“Being able to fly out from Birmingham with Emirates gave me the chance to pick-up some last minute messages of good luck before I left. Hopefully, I’ll be able to return with a winner’s medal to show them all!”