In the letter, he expressed his heartfelt appreciation and praise for the hard work and efforts the organizing committee has done for the event and the athletes from his country.

"I thank them sincerely for treating me as a VIP I do not expect that. I very much appreciate the work and professionalism that has gone into the whole event. I very enjoyed and was excited by the opening, how proud the organizing committee should be and must be. There has been nothing but excitement and enthusiasm from a very small NZ team. They have in a short time come to love the Chinese people and culture and are enjoying the competition and hospitality of the Chengdu People," said Mr. Russel in the letter.

The 2019 WPFG is being staged in Chengdu and will last till August 18. As the largest-ever sports extravaganza with the most foreign participants in the city, the event attracted over 8,000 police officers and firefighters from 79 countries and regions across the globe.