Page 50 - Sept 2017

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Detective sprints into history at World Games
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Juvenile Detective Marco Acevedo arrived at the World Police & Fire Games with no track and field background, but he left with a bronze medal in the 100-meter sprint.
In doing so, 48-year-old Acevedo became the first Illi- nois athlete to earn medals in two different sports at the Games. Two years ago, he picked up a silver medal playing shortstop for a North Carolina-based baseball team.
The significance of his 13.2-second performance had Acevedo pumped up. The seven-man field featured ex- perienced runners from several countries, and Acevedo hung with them. The winner from Brazil, also 48 years old, crossed the finish line in 12 seconds flat, while the second-place finisher from Taipei hit the line just a tenth of a second faster than Acevedo, a 22-year CPD veteran.
“I was always intrigued by the 100-meter sprint. Those guys were all track stars...professional runners. These guys were ridiculous,” Acevedo shared, adding that the winner “was flying” during the race.
Acevedo played for the CPD baseball team for 16 years, serving as the team’s leadoff man because of his speed. With no formal running history, though, Acevedo trained with a colleague’s daughter who had experience as an NCAA Division I track athlete.
In addition to his successful race, Acevedo called the games — held every two years — an “outstanding event” with 10,000 athletes from around the world. Officers and others exchange patches and challenge coins as part of the experience. He hopes that more Chicago officers will take part in the future.
“I’m trying to encourage groups of CPD to go out [to the Games]. We’ve got a lot of talented athletes,” he said, noting that he’s eyeing a possible trip to the 2019 games in China if he can get sponsors.
On a sad note, Acevedo also ran the race in honor of his brother-in-law, who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away during Acevedo’s time at the Games.
“I told him I’d get on the podium for him,” Acevedo said, adding that it was a “blessing” to represent his family and the “police department in a positive light.” d
50 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2017
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