Opening ceremony held for 2015 World Police and Fire Games

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First responders from across the globe gathered at RFK Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2015 World Police and Fire Games.

The international even is underway as police are facing massive oversight and scrutiny.

"I think if you spoke with all of them, there would be a commonality amongst the problems that we face," said Jim Matlock, a state trooper in Connecticut.

"It would be nice if this could make a difference," said Steve Miller. "I don't know if it will get the media coverage that it deserves, but it would if it could make a difference."

Miller told us the mounting tension between police and communities in the United States has caused "way too much awkward unrest in our country."

But on Friday evening, these first responders from around the world were applauded for their work off the beat.

Seventy countries will compete in 61 sporting events.

"The message is we can come from all over the world and promote our fire and rescue people, have them compete in athletic games and see how could they can do and how well they can meet new people," said Miller.

"This is big," said Olav Noteng, an ice hockey player from Norway. "This is really huge for us. We get to come to D.C."

How big are the 2015 World Police and Fire Games? The nine-day sporting event could reportedly generate up to $80 million for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.