The athletes will be given tight, but padded uniforms -- like comic action heroes -- and pseudonyms, such as "Flash in the Pan," "Pocket Rocket" and "The Torch."
For Mike Doolan -- who has been asked to lead Team Canada and whose nom de guerre is "Cinders" -- there is another side to the story. "Yeah, I would be interested in coming back if it all panned out as they say," he said.
"But, the force of a bottle rocket is like being punched, except there's a danger of going up in flames when you get hit. I don't think anyone can last long in this game."
The Chinese-language media reported 70 injuries at this year's festival. Medics said that in addition to the inevitable burns there had been ear, eyes, chest and leg injuries. Two heads of hair were set alight and a firework went up the leg of one unfortunate man who is now undergoing reconstructive surgery.
The risk of injury was brought up at firerunning's launch, but it was quickly dismissed by Wen, who said most of the reported injuries were the result of crushes caused by overcrowding.
Stringent safety measures would be implemented and the events properly marshalled, he said. "Every athlete will wear protection and we have calculated an acceptable ratio of risk of injury and death into the rules."
Firerunnners are aware of the risk that the sport presents, Wen said. "We will obviously provide insurance so if there is a fatality then at least the family will benefit."
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