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The World Games are an international multi-sport event comprising sports and sporting disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games. They are usually held every four years, one year after a Summer Olympic Games, over the course of 11 days. The World Games are governed by the International World Games Association, under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

Key Information

In the most recent editions, between 25 and 34 sports have been included in the official programme. Several sports or disciplines that were on the programme of The World Games have been discontinued because they are now included in the programme of the Olympic Games. Around 3,500 participants from around 100 nations take part.

The World Games differs from other multi-sport events, such as the Olympic Games, in that host cities are not required to construct new venues or facilities for the Games.[1]: 9  The competitors are selected by the sports' international federations, rather than by National Olympic Committees or national governing bodies. In most disciplines, qualification is by a top ranking at the world championships or a qualification tournament. This is intended to ensure the top athletes in a sport compete at the Games.

The first edition of The World Games was held in 1981 in Santa Clara, California, United States, and the twelfth edition was held in Chengdu, China, from 7 to 17 August 2025.

History

[edit]

Inauguration

[edit]

The idea for a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports came from the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). Realising that there were few opportunities to become part of the Olympic programme, non-Olympic federations wanted to form their own showcase event to increase the publicity of their sports, which they called The World Games. These federations formed a steering group in early 1979 to decide on the structure and principles of the games and search for a venue.

In May 1979, the steering group announced that they had found a venue for the first event: Santa Clara, USA.[2]

The GAISF steering committee became the World Games Executive Council in October 1979, and the inaugural meeting of the World Games Council was held from 19 to 22 May 1980, with a purpose of creating the concept of the Games.[3] The World Games Council was renamed the International World Games Association, or IWGA in 1985.[4]

The first edition of The World Games was held in Santa Clara, USA, in 1981. It was opened by Kim Un-yong, president of the World Games executive committee, at Buck Shaw Stadium.[5] At the opening ceremony, the athletes marched sorted by sport and not by nation.

The 15 sports at the inaugural games included badminton, casting, racquetball, and taekwondo. The first medals of the Games were awarded in the 640 kilo class of tug-of-war, with the gold going to the team from England.[6]

Twentieth century

[edit]

After the inaugural Games, the West Nally Group, which had provided financing for the Games in Santa Clara, became owners of the rights to the event, and took the second edition to their headquarters in London.[7]

For the third Games in Karlsruhe, 1989, the West Nally Group still owned the commercial rights to the Games, but the host city was responsible for the staff and volunteers organising the event. After this, the IWGA bought back the commercial rights, and the organising committees of the host cities have been responsible for the organisation and financing since. This led to the organisers of The World Games in The Hague (1993) asking the participants to pay accommodation costs.[8]

The 1997 edition of the Games was due to be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, but in August 1994, Port Elizabeth pulled out of hosting the Games due to the political situation in the country.[9] Lahti in Finland volunteered to host instead and signed the host contract in January 1995. Airsports, dancesport, aerobics and jujitsu made their debut in Lahti and have been contested at the Games ever since.[9]

Following the Games in Lahti, the IWGA and IOC agreed on a memorandum of understanding, which was signed in 2000[9][10] Here, the IOC recognised the importance of The World Games and set out shared values, including the IOC providing patronage to Organising Committees, encouraging multi-sport national teams, and working together on anti-doping. It also set out that "disciplines/events of sport that are not on the Olympic Games programme could be included on the programme of the World Games".[11] A further memorandum of understanding was signed in 2016.[12]

Twenty-first century

[edit]

In 2001, the Games were held in Akita, Japan – the first time it had been held outside of North America or Europe. Several competitions were delayed or moved to an alternative venue when a typhoon hit the city. For the first time, some National Olympic Committees organised hotel accommodation for their athletes, beyond the time they were hosted by the IWGA.[13]

The World Games in 2005, in Duisburg, Germany, were the first World Games where athletes paraded into the opening ceremony grouped by nation. Also several standards were set in place which continue to this day, such as the television production of all sports and sports grouped by category, such as ball sports and precision sports.[14]

The 2013 Games in Cali, Colombia, were particularly noted for the large numbers of spectators, estimated at 500,000. For example, the Bullfight Ring, which was the venue for dancesport, was 'packed' for the salsa dance finals.[15] This edition of the Games saw the first time a competition was cancelled: due to concerns about temperature and air flow at the Del Pueblo Gymnasium, where the sport of rhythmic gymnastics was taking place, the ribbons event was cancelled.[16]

The 2017 Games in Wrocław, Poland, were the first to be broadcast on the Olympic Channel, to 130 countries. Both the raffa and lyonnaise disciplines of boules were cancelled after a storm destroyed the venue and it could not be repaired in time.[17]

In 2015, it was announced that the 11th edition of The World Games was to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA in 2021, beating bids from Lima in Peru and Ufa in Russia.[18] On 2 April 2020, the Games were postponed to 2022 so as not to clash with the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo due to the coronavirus pandemic.[19][20][21]

No parasports federations are currently part of the IWGA, but The World Games in Birmingham was the first edition to include parasports, with the inclusion of wheelchair rugby. Birmingham was also to include disabled athletes (one per gender) in archery.[22] The IWGA is also aiming to secure a partnership with the International Paralympic Committee and include a quota for para-athletes.[1]: 1 

In 2019, it was announced that The World Games in 2025 will take place in Chengdu, China.[23]

Features

[edit]

Venues

[edit]

In order for hosting to be sustainable, organisers of The World Games are not required to build any new venues or facilities.[1]: 9  For example, Sloss Furnaces, a former pig iron-producing blast furnace now in public use, hosted the sport climbing, breakdancing, parkour and beach handball competitions in Birmingham 2022.[24] Athletes stayed at the student accommodations of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), several of whose sports facilities were used for various events.[22]

Past venues have included the Lahti City Theatre (bodybuilding), Landschaftspark Nord (a former iron foundry in Duisburg), Wrocław Zoo, and Wrocław's Philharmonic Hall, the National Forum of Music.[9][14][25]

Even though it is not required, some venues are constructed or renovated for The World Games. For instance, for the 2017 World Games in Wrocław, a new swimming pool and speed skating rink were built, and Olympic Stadium, built in 1928, was renovated and is still used for American football and speedway.[17] Also, for the 2009 World Games, Kaohsiung built a National Stadium – the first stadium in the world to use solar energy technology for its power.[26] Other editions used new facilities that were built for purposes other than the World Games; the main stadium of the 2022 edition, Protective Stadium, was built for UAB's American football team.

Athlete selection

[edit]

Athletes are selected to compete at The World Games by their sport's international federation, as opposed to their sport's national governing body or National Olympic Committee, as in other multi-sport events.[27] The selections are intended to "achieve a satisfactory balance between competitors' positions on world ranking lists and the fair representation of as many as possible of its member nations".[28]: 13 

International federations are obliged to send their best athletes, with The World Games development agenda setting out that sports are only to be included if "the best athletes/teams in the world are present".[1]: 10 

International World Games Association

[edit]
Main article: International World Games Association

The International World Games Association (IWGA) is the international association responsible for the direction and control of The World Games. Its headquarters are located in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its official language is English.[29]

Its membership consists of 39 international sporting federations.[30] It also works very closely with the Local Organising Committees (LOCs), temporary committees responsible for the organisation of each World Games. LOCs are dissolved after each Games. The IWGA is officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

Ceremonies

[edit]

Opening ceremony

[edit]

The opening ceremony marks the official start of The World Games. Until Duisburg 2005, athletes paraded into the ceremony grouped by sport. From 2005, they were grouped by nation, and now march in alphabetical order, with the host country and then the judges last.[14][31]

The Athletes' Oath is taken by an athlete of the host nation, and the Judges' Oath is taken by the chairman of the Tournament Judges' Commission. Parading of flags, speeches and official opening also make up the required parts of the ceremony.[31][32]: 55  There is also often a musical and artistic aspect of the ceremony. For example, more than 400 artists took part in the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw.[32]: 55 

Athlete party

[edit]

Since 1993 at The Hague, an athlete party has been held in the middle of the competition.[32]: 270 [33] It was intended to allow all athletes to participate in at least one ceremony (opening, athlete party, or closing) during the competition.[34]

Closing ceremony

[edit]

The closing ceremony ends The World Games and follows the last awards ceremony.[31] Official aspects include speeches, a presentation by the next host city and a handing of the flag of the Games to the representatives of the next host city. In Wroclaw, the second part of the ceremony was a concert performed by local artists.[32]: 56 

Editions

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Host cities of The World Games
Overview of The World Games Editions
Year Edition Host Opened by Official
Sports 		Invitational
Sports 		Medal
Events 		Nations Date Athletes Officials Top nation Top medalist
1981 1  United States, Santa Clara Kim Un-yong 15 1[35][a 1] 104 58 25 July – 2 August 1981 1,400 (est)[37] or 1,546[35] 293  United States  United States
1985 2  United Kingdom, London Charles Palmer 20 1[7] 134 51 25 July – 4 August 1985 1,410 333  Italy  Italy
1989 3  West Germany, Karlsruhe Juan Antonio Samaranch 18 2[8] 103 50 20–30 July 1989 1,359 285  Italy  West Germany
1993 4  Netherlands, The Hague Kevan Gosper 21 4[34] 160 67 21 July – 1 August 1993 2,026 418  Germany  Germany
1997 5  Finland, Lahti Juan Antonio Samaranch 20 6[38] 164 70[38] 7–11 August 1997 2,016 430  United States  United States
2001 6  Japan, Akita Toyama Atsuko 22 5[39] 170 80 16–26 August 2001 2,380 591  Russia  Russia
2005 7  Germany, Duisburg Otto Schily 26 6[14] 178 93 14–24 July 2005 3,149 638  Russia  Russia
 Germany
2009 8  Chinese Taipei[a 2], Kaohsiung Ma Ying-jeou 25 5[26] 155 84 16–26 July 2009 2,908 636  Russia  Russia
2013 9  Colombia, Cali Angelino Garzón 26 4 or 5[a 3] 194 91 25 July – 4 August 2013 3,103 682  Italy  Russia
2017 10  Poland, Wrocław Thomas Bach 27 4[17] 219 102 20–30 July 2017 3,430 856  Russia  Russia
2022 11  United States, Birmingham Randall Woodfin 30 5[42][43][a 4] 223[45][46][47][48][49] 99[50] 7–17 July 2022 3,457[50] 868  Germany  Italy
2025 12  China, Chengdu Shen Yiqin 35 — 256 118 7–17 August 2025 3,693  China  China
2029 13  Germany, Karlsruhe — 19–29 July 2029
  1. ^ An invitational sport programme did not exist for the 1981 World Games. Press coverage did not refer to water polo as an invitational sport. An agreement was reached with FINA in the lead-up to the games not to allow women's water polo athletes to march in the opening ceremony, to assuage the displeasure of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its being included in the programme.[36]
  2. ^ The Taiwan Republic of China (Taiwan) is designated Chinese Taipei by International World Games Association and the majority of international organisations it participates in due to political considerations and Cross-Strait relations with the People's Republic of China.
  3. ^ A summary article at the TWG website cites "Roller Sports - Road" as an invitational sport.[15] However, at the TWG results history look-up website, medals awarded for "Roller Sports - Speed Skating Road" events are included, unlike four 2013 invitational sports,[40] and the medals are included in the main Medal Tally on the website of the 2013 TWG Full Official Results, not the Invitational Medal Tally.[41] In either case, the number of official sports is not affected since the Roller Sports are already included in the number of official sports because of other disciplines.
  4. ^ José Perurena, IWGA President, stated, "In Birmingham, for the first time, invitational sports were no longer presented separately but were also part of the official programme."[44] This is now TWG policy.

Sports

[edit]

Official sports

[edit]

For The World Games in 2017 and before, official sports were selected solely by the IWGA. Only sports whose international federations were members of the IWGA could be selected.[28]: 13–14  From 2022, the official sports are selected by both the IWGA and host city and can include some sports whose federations are not part of the IWGA.[1]: 10–11 

As formalised in the memorandum of understanding, "only events that are not on the programme of the Olympic Games can be included in the programme of The World Games".[12] For example, canoe polo is a discipline at The World Games, while canoe sprint and canoe slalom are disciplines at the Olympic Games, despite all three being governed by the International Canoe Federation.

Sports that depend on the availability of snow or ice for competitions are ineligible for inclusion in The World Games.[28]: 14 

Sports which have been contested at all editions of The World Games are finswimming, trampoline and tumbling disciplines of gymnastics, karate, powerlifting, roller sports, and tug of war.

Invitational sports

[edit]

In addition to the official sports, the host city, in coordination with the IWGA, has been allowed to invite sports to participate in the individual programme. These sports optionally are permitted to include international sports federations that were not members of the IWGA.[28]: 13–14  Before Birmingham 2022, these were deemed "invitational sports".

Starting in Birmingham 2022, there is no distinction between official and invitational sports. Host cities are still able to select up to five optional sports, but they are designated "official" sports, rather than invitational. In addition, the host city will be able to designate "display sports".[1]: 10–11  José Perurena, IWGA President, stated, "In Birmingham, for the first time, invitational sports were no longer presented separately but were also part of the official programme."[44] For example, the Birmingham Organising Committee selected men's lacrosse (women's being selected by the IWGA), duathlon, flag football and wushu. For the first time ever, a paralympic sport was part of the programme as a wheelchair rugby tournament was held.[42]

Some sports or disciplines started in The World Games as invitational sports and then became official, often as their international federations became part of the IWGA. These include the lyonnaise discipline of boules sports, beach handball, sumo, and indoor tug of war.

Olympic sports

[edit]

Sports or disciplines which have been part of The World Games and the Olympics include badminton, baseball and softball, karate, rugby, sport climbing, taekwondo, target archery, rhythmic and trampoline gymnastics, triathlon, beach volleyball and water polo. Target archery and trampolining gymnastics are currently on the programme of both, but The World Games only holds events in divisions that are not contested in the Olympics.

Other sports presented

[edit]

In addition to official and invitational sports, other sports have been presented during The World Games, including through "The World Games Garden". Among such sports are: Rhönrad (wheel gymnastics),[51] Karlsruhe-based ring tennis,[51] skateboarding,[51] baton twirling[52][b 1] and others.

Table of sports

[edit]
Main article: World Games sports
Sport Current? Official Invitational[b 2] Olympic
Aikido[53] No 1993–2005 (no medals awarded)
Air sports[54] Yes
  • Skydiving: 1997–2022
  • Paragliding: 2013
  • Aerobatics: 2017
  • Paramotoring: 2017
  • Drone racing: 2022–
American football[55] Yes Flag football (women): 2025
Demonstration: 1932
Flag football: 2028[57]
Archery[58] Yes
Badminton[59] No 1981 Demonstration: 1972.
Official: 1992–[60]
Baseball – Softball[61] Softball
only
  • Baseball: 1981, Softball (men): 1981, 2025
  • Softball (women): 1981–85, 2022–
 Softball: 2009–2013 Baseball: 1992–2008, 2020, 2028
Softball: 1996–2008, 2020, 2028[62]
Billiards sports[63] Yes Carom billiards, Pool, Snooker: 2001–
Boomerang No 1989 (demonstration)[64][51]
Boules sports[65] Yes Petanque: 1985–, Lyonnaise: 2001–
Raffa: 2009–2017 		Lyonnaise: 1997[9]
Bowling[66] No Ten pin: 1981–2022, Nine pin: 2005 Demonstration: 1988
Canoe[67] Yes Canoe polo: 2005–, Marathon: 2022–, Dragon boat: 2025 Marathon: 2013
Dragon boat: 2005–2009[b 4]
Casting[68] No
  • Allround: 1981,[b 5]
  • Fly: 1981–1985, 1993–2005
  • Multiplier: 1981–1985, 1993–2001
  • Spinning: 1981–1985, 1993–1997
Cheerleading Yes Pom: 2025[69]
Cycling No Artistic: 1989, Cycle ball: 1989[8]
Dancesport[70] Yes
  • Latin: 1997–
  • Standard: 1997–
  • Rock 'n' roll: 2005–2009, 2017–2022
  • Salsa: 2013–2017
  • Breaking: 2022–
 Breaking: 2024[71]
Equestrian No Vaulting: 1993[72] Vaulting: 1920[73]
Fistball[74] Yes Outdoor: 1985–
Fitness and Bodybuilding[75] No Bodybuilding: 1981–2009
Floorball[76] Yes Indoor: 2017– Indoor: 1997
Flying disc[77] Yes Ultimate: 2001–, Disc golf: 2001, 2025 Ultimate: 1989 (demonstration)[64][51]
Gateball No 2001[39]
Gymnastics[b 6][78] All except Rhythmic Trampoline: 1981–, Tumbling: 1981–, Acrobatic: 1993–, Aerobic: 1997–, Rhythmic: 2001–2022, Parkour: 2022– Trampoline: 2000–[79]
Handball[80] Beach only Beach: 2013– Beach: 2001–2009
Hockey[81] No Field, indoor: 2005
Jujitsu[82] Yes Duo: 1997–, Fighting: 1997–, Ne-waza: 2013–, Duo for athletes with impairment: 2025
Karate[83] Yes Kata: 1981– , Kumite: 1981– 2020[84]
Kickboxing[85] Yes K1 style: 2022–, Point Fighting: 2025 K1 style: 2017
Korfball[86] Yes Indoor: 1985–, Beach: 2025 Demonstrations: 1920, 1928
Lacrosse[87] Yes Women's: 2017, Women's Sixes: 2022– Men's Sixes: 2022[88] Demonstrations (men's): 1928, 1932, 1948
Official: Sixes: 2028[89]
Lifesaving[90] Pool only
  • Pool: 1985–
  • Beach: 2001–2009
  • Combined team races: 2001–2009
Military pentathlon No 1997[38]
Minigolf No 1989[8]
Motorcycling No Motocross: 1985,[7] Speedway:
1985,[7] 2017,[17] Indoor trial: 2005[14]
Muaythai[91] Yes 2017–
Netball[92] No 1985–1993
Orienteering[93] Yes 2001–
Pesäpallo No 1997[38] Demonstration: 1952
Powerboating Yes MotoSurf (biofuel/electric): 2025[69]
Powerlifting[94] Yes Equipped: 1981–, Classic: 2025
Racquetball[95] Yes 1981–85, 1993, 2009–2013, 2022–
Roller sports[96] Yes
  • Artistic: 1981–2022, Roller Hockey: 1981–1993, 2001, Inline Hockey: 2005–
  • Speed Skating Track: 1981–
  • Speed Skating Road: 1981,[b 7] 2013–[b 8]
  • Freestyle Inline Skating: 2025
 Roller hockey: Demonstration: 1992
Rowing No Indoor: 2017[17]
Rugby[99] No Sevens: 2001–2013 Rugby Union: 1900, 1908, 1920–1924
Sevens: 2016–[100]
Sambo[101] Yes 1985, 1993, 2025
Sport climbing[102] Speed only
  • Lead: 2005–2022
  • Speed: 2005–
  • Boulder: 2017–2022
 2020–[103]
Squash[104] Yes 1997, 2005– 2028
Sumo[105] No 2005–2022 2001
Taekwondo No 1981–1993[72] Demonstration: 1988.
Official: 2000–[106]
Tchoukball No 2009[26]
Triathlon[107] Invitational
sport 		1993[34]
Triathlon: 2000–[108]
Tug of war[109] Outdoor
only 		Outdoor: 1981–, Indoor: 2005–2017 Indoor: 1993–2001 1900–1920
Underwater sports[110] Yes Finswimming: 1981– , Freediving: 2025
Volleyball No Beach: 1993[34] Beach: Demonstration: 1992. Official: 1996–[111]
Water polo No Women's: 1981[35][b 9] Women's: 2000–[114]
Waterski & Wakeboard[115] All except
waterski and
barefoot
  • Waterski: 1981–2022
  • Barefoot: 1997–2009
  • Wakeboard: 2001–
  • Cable wakeboard: 2005, 2025
  • Wake Surf: 2025
 Barefoot: 1993[34] Demonstration: 1972
Weightlifting No Women's: 1997[38] Women's: 2000–[116]
Wheelchair rugby[117] Low point only Low point: 2022
Wushu[118] Yes Taolu: 2025, Sanda: 2025 Sanda: 2009–2013
Taolu: 2009–2013, 2022
  1. ^ IWGA does not mention Baton twirling among the invitational or other sports.
  2. ^ José Perurena, IWGA President, stated, "In Birmingham, for the first time, invitational sports were no longer presented separately but were also part of the official programme."[44] This is now TWG policy.
  3. ^ Target archery is part of the Olympic Games programme, but only in what that sport calls the "open recurve" division, allowing stabilizers and sights to be attached to bows. The World Games programme in target archery features compound bow and "barebow" divisions, with the latter restricted to recurve bows without sights or stabilizers.
  4. ^ Dragon Boat was cited as a separate sport in the summaries of the 2005[14] and 2009[26] Games. It is now considered a discipline of canoe.
  5. ^ Medals were awarded for "casting allround", but it was not separately contested. It was a combination of athletes’ results in all three disciplines.
  6. ^ Gymnastics disciplines at The World Games are not those contested at the Olympics.
  7. ^ Road speed skating was held at the 1981 Games, with the men's marathon and women's half-marathon being contested in international competition for the first time.[97][98] But at the TWG results history look-up website, it is not indicated as a separate discipline for Roller Sports, but rather as part of track speed skating.
  8. ^ A summary article at the TWG website cites "Roller Sports - Road" as an invitational sport.[15] However, at the TWG results history look-up website, medals awarded for "Roller Sports - Speed Skating Road" events are included, unlike four 2013 invitational sports,[40] and the medals are included in the main Medal Tally on the website of the 2013 TWG Full Official Results, not the Invitational Medal Tally.[41]
  9. ^ An invitational sport programme did not exist for the 1981 World Games. Press coverage did not refer to water polo as an invitational sport. An agreement was reached with FINA in the lead-up to the games not to allow women's water polo athletes to march in the opening ceremony, to assuage the displeasure of the International Olympic Committee for its being included in the programme.[36] Five days before the opening ceremony, Canada had become the newly-crowned World Cup champion in Brisbane, Australia, in a competition that included the same three teams that medaled in these Games.[112][113]

Medal tables

[edit]

All-time nation medal table

[edit]
Main article: All-time World Games medal table

Last updated after the 2022 World Games

Top ten total medal ranking[119][120][121][122][123][124]
RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Italy[a]166171153490
2 Germany[c]162118156436
3 United States[b]161137115413
4 Russia[d]13611072318
5 France114116121351
6 China785929166
7 Great Britain[b][e]656595225
8 Japan654965179
9 Ukraine[f]585954171
10 Spain474949145
Totals (10 entries)1,0529339092,894
  1. ^ The results from the 2001 World Games are from the archived website of the Akita, Japan, organizing committee.[125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138]
  2. ^ a b The 1997 bronze medalists in aerobics mixed pair were from Great Britain, not United States as stated in IWGA source.[139]
  3. ^ In 2017, Germany was stripped of a gold medal in women's bowling for doping. This table reflects the reallocation of medals for that event.[140]
  4. ^ The Soviet Union, which won 36 total medals in 1989, is counted separately from its all successor states, including Russia. This is consistent with the separate counting of medals for other states that sub-divided into their constituent successor states following their initial participation in the World Games. These include Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic and Slovakia) and FR Yugoslavia (2001) and Serbia and Montenegro in (2005).
  5. ^ The 1981 mixed badminton title was won by a pair of players from Sweden and Great Britain. Both nations are counted as having won a gold medal.
  6. ^ In 2009, Ukraine was stripped of two gold medals in bodybuilding for doping, and Qatar and Brazil were each stripped of a silver medal. This table does not include those stripped medals, and neither does it include possible reallocation of those medals, as the results at the World Games website do not reflect a reallocation.[141]

All-time athlete medal table

[edit]

Top ten medal table for athletes[142]

Rank Athlete Nation Sport Years Active Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 Jurgen Kolenda  Germany Finswimming 1981–1985 11 0 0 11
2 Steve Rajeff  United States Casting 1981–2005 8 4 3 15
3 Serguei Akhapov  Russia Finswimming 1989–2005 8 4 1 13
4 Bart Swings  Belgium Speed skating 2013–2022 8 2 2 12
5 Danny Wieck  Germany Life saving 2013–2022 6 1 2 9
6 Magali Rousseau  France Life saving 2013–2022 6 1 1 8
6 Patrice Martin  France Waterski 1981–2001 6 1 1 8
8 Anna Poliakova  Russia Sumo 2009–2017 6 0 0 6
9 Marcello Saporiti  Italy Life saving 1989–1993 5 2 2 9
10 Vasilisa Kravchuk  Russia Finswimming 2005–2013 5 2 1 8

References

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World Games

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The World Games is an international multi-sport event featuring sports and disciplines not included in the Olympic Games programme, serving as a pinnacle competition for athletes in non-Olympic sports.[1] Organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA), it is held every four years over an 11-day period, bringing together approximately 4,000 athletes from over 100 countries to compete in more than 30 sports across 60 disciplines and 250 medal events.[1] The event promotes sport innovation, universality, and excellence while positioning host cities and international federations at the forefront of global sports development.[1] Founded in 1980 as a non-profit organization, the IWGA was established to coordinate and strengthen ties among international sports federations, culminating in the inaugural World Games in Santa Clara, California, USA, in 1981.[2] Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the official body for these games, the IWGA comprises 40 member international sports federations and collaborates with host cities to select disciplines based on infrastructure, popularity, and alignment with IOC and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) guidelines.[2] Subsequent editions have rotated across continents, with the most recent—the 12th World Games—held in Chengdu, China, from August 7 to 17, 2025, marking a milestone in the event's growth as the second-most significant global multi-sport competition after the Olympics.[3][1] The programme emphasizes emerging and specialized sports such as air sports, beach handball, canoe polo, korfball, lifesaving, and powerlifting, with selections evolving per edition to reflect global trends and athlete participation limits (up to 400 IOC-recognized and 200 IPC participants starting in 2025).[1] Beyond competition, the World Games foster international collaboration, cultural exchange, and pathways for sports to potentially enter the Olympic fold, underscoring its role in broadening the scope of world athletics.[2]

Overview

Definition and Objectives

The World Games is an international multi-sport event comprising sports and disciplines not included in the programme of the Summer Olympic Games, held every four years over an 11-day period.[1] Organized as a global showcase, it features competitions in diverse non-Olympic activities, positioning elite athletes, host cities, and sports federations at the center of international attention while emphasizing the pinnacle achievement of becoming a World Games champion.[1] The core objectives of the World Games are to promote excellence, sustainability, and inclusiveness in sport by highlighting emerging and niche disciplines that lack Olympic recognition, thereby fostering international athletic development and providing a dedicated platform for athletes outside the Olympic cycle.[2] It aims to strengthen bonds of friendship among international sports federations, coordinate their world championships into a unified multi-sport festival, and deliver an optimal experience for participants and spectators through collaboration between organizers and host communities.[2] Established on the founding principle of complementing the Olympic movement without direct competition, the International World Games Association (IWGA) was created in 1980 to administer the event and support the growth of its member federations' sports.[2] The inaugural edition took place from July 24 to August 2, 1981, in Santa Clara, California, USA, featuring 16 sports across 104 medal events with approximately 1,600 athletes from 58 nations.[4]

Schedule and Frequency

The World Games are organized on a quadrennial basis, occurring every four years in the year immediately following the Summer Olympic Games, with editions held in 1981, 1985, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2022, and 2025.[1] This schedule positions the event as a complementary multi-sport gathering to the Olympics, deliberately avoiding Olympic years to prevent scheduling conflicts and to spotlight sports not included in the Olympic program, thereby allowing dedicated focus and resources for non-Olympic disciplines.[1] Each edition typically unfolds over 10 to 12 days, most commonly spanning 11 days, encompassing opening and closing ceremonies along with competitions in various sports.[1] To accommodate the diverse program, events are distributed across multiple venues within the host city or region, facilitating simultaneous or sequential competitions while optimizing logistics for participants and spectators.[5] The standard cycle has occasionally faced adjustments due to external factors, such as the 2021 edition in Birmingham, which was postponed to 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shift in the Tokyo Olympics schedule.[6] This delay maintained the overall quadrennial rhythm without impacting the timing of the subsequent 2025 edition in Chengdu, ensuring continuity in the post-Olympic year pattern.[7]

History

Inception and Founding

The concept of the World Games emerged in 1978 as a proposal from sports leaders to establish a dedicated international multi-sport event for disciplines not included in the Olympic programme, addressing the need for greater visibility among non-Olympic federations.[8] This initiative was spearheaded by the Coordinating Committee of Non-Olympic Federations (NOF) within the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), under the leadership of Dr. Un Yong Kim, then-president of the World Taekwondo Federation.[8] Dr. Kim, who later became a key figure in the International Olympic Committee (IOC), envisioned the event as a platform to foster friendship among federations and promote sporting excellence without overlapping Olympic sports.[9] The proposal gained formal structure in 1980 with the founding of the International World Games Association (IWGA) on May 21 in Seoul, South Korea, initially named the World Games Council.[10] Established as a non-governmental, non-profit organization under Swiss law, the IWGA served as the sole governing body for the World Games, starting with 12 founding member international sports federations whose disciplines were ineligible for the Olympics.[8] Dr. Un Yong Kim chaired the inaugural assembly and assumed the role of the organization's first president, guiding its early development.[8] Concurrently, preliminary discussions with the IOC sought official recognition, with the committee expressing support for the initiative as a complementary event to the Olympics, though formal agreements came later.[11] Planning for the inaugural edition commenced in early 1979, focusing on a cost-effective model to test the concept.[8] By May 1979, Santa Clara, California, USA, was selected as the host city due to its available facilities, with venues rented from the city and Santa Clara University to avoid construction expenses.[12] The initial sports programme comprised 16 disciplines drawn primarily from the founding federations, including casting, finswimming, racquetball, and women's water polo, emphasizing a mix of traditional and emerging non-Olympic activities.[12] International invitations were issued through member federations, drawing 1,600 athletes from 58 nations to participate from July 24 to August 2, 1981, marking the successful launch of the event under IWGA oversight.[12]

Growth Through the 20th Century

The inaugural World Games in 1981, held in Santa Clara, California, marked the beginning of a multi-sport event focused on non-Olympic disciplines, featuring 16 sports and attracting 1,600 athletes from 58 nations.[12] This edition served as a successful test for the International World Games Association (IWGA), drawing approximately 80,000 spectators and demonstrating the potential to unite global federations for sports like taekwondo and women's water polo, which later transitioned to the Olympics.[12] The 1985 edition in London expanded to 21 sports but faced challenges with limited public attention and modest organizational scale, resulting in only 50,000 spectators despite 1,370 athletes from 51 nations.[13] Financial and logistical constraints prompted the IWGA to shift future events to smaller host cities with stronger local involvement, aiming to build sustainability.[13] By the 1989 Games in Karlsruhe, Germany, participation stabilized at 1,644 athletes across 17 sports from 50 nations, with spectator numbers surging to 200,000, reflecting improved city integration and early IOC support.[14] Growth accelerated in the 1990s, as the 1993 edition in The Hague, Netherlands, introduced more invitational sports such as vaulting, aikido, and tug of war, alongside 21 core sports across 25 disciplines, drawing 1,604 athletes from 67 nations.[15] Comprehensive television coverage reached 60 countries via ESPN and European broadcasters, though commercial rights disputes with organizers limited advertising revenue.[15] The 1997 Games in Lahti, Finland, further diversified the program with 22 sports, including debuts in air sports, dance sport, and ju-jitsu, while incorporating winter-like elements like events near ski-jumping facilities; 1,566 athletes from 70 nations competed before 93,000 spectators, despite a last-minute host switch from Port Elizabeth due to political instability.[16] The turn of the century saw continued expansion with the 2001 edition in Akita, Japan—the first in Asia—featuring 27 sports (22 official and 5 invitational) and 1,968 athletes from 80 nations, despite disruptions from a typhoon that required event rescheduling.[17] Over 127,000 spectators attended, underscoring the Games' rising global profile, with debuts in rhythmic sports gymnastics and billiards contributing to its recognition as a premier multi-sport platform.[17] By this period, participation had grown from 58 nations and 16 sports in 1981 to over 80 nations and 25 sports, with athlete numbers consistently exceeding 1,500, establishing the event's scale and international appeal.[17]

Expansion in the 21st Century

The 21st century marked a period of significant growth for the World Games, with editions expanding in scale, geographic diversity, and participation. The sixth edition in 2001 was hosted by Akita, Japan, from August 16 to 26, featuring 1,968 athletes from 80 countries competing in 27 sports across approximately 200 events.[17] This event built on prior momentum by introducing more invitational disciplines and enhancing international appeal, though it faced challenges like limited media coverage compared to later iterations. Subsequent editions continued this trajectory: the 2005 Games in Duisburg, Germany, attracted over 3,100 athletes from 93 nations, emphasizing industrial urban hosting and including sports like orienteering.[18] By 2009, the shift to larger, more populous hosts was evident in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where approximately 2,900 athletes from 84 countries participated in 31 official sports, setting a participation record at the time and showcasing Asia's growing role in global non-Olympic events.[19] The 2013 edition in Cali, Colombia, further broadened the Games' global reach, drawing 3,103 athletes from 91 countries and introducing beach handball to the official programme, while navigating logistical hurdles in a Latin American context for the first time.[20] Wrocław, Poland, hosted the 2017 Games from July 20 to 30, achieving a record attendance of 240,000 spectators across 31 sports with 3,292 athletes from 103 countries, the highest national participation to date; this edition highlighted Europe's capacity for large-scale events and boosted local tourism through integrated cultural programming.[21] The 2022 Birmingham, USA, edition, originally scheduled for 2021, was postponed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with adaptations including mandatory full vaccination for entrants and streamlined testing protocols to ensure safety amid global travel restrictions; it featured 34 sports and over 3,600 athletes from 100 countries, demonstrating resilience in event delivery.[6] The 2025 Chengdu edition, held from August 7 to 17 in the People's Republic of China—the first time the Games were hosted there—represented a pinnacle of expansion, with 4,000 athletes from over 110 countries competing in 34 sports across 60 disciplines and 256 medal events, underscoring Asia's dominance in hosting mega-events; China topped the medal table with 36 gold medals.[3][3] Throughout the century, the International World Games Association (IWGA) advanced sustainability efforts, unveiling a comprehensive strategy in 2024 aligned with OECD guidelines to minimize environmental impact through infrastructure adaptation and carbon reduction; earlier initiatives, such as tree-planting partnerships in Birmingham 2022, exemplified this commitment.[22][23] Concurrently, digital broadcasting initiatives post-2010 drove viewership surges, with the 2017 Wrocław Games reaching audiences in 115 countries via 1,259 broadcast hours, and the 2022 edition expanding to 268 million viewers across 61 territories through OTT platforms and linear TV deals, enhancing global accessibility.[24]

Governance and Organization

International World Games Association

The International World Games Association (IWGA) was established in 1980 in Seoul, South Korea, as a non-governmental, non-profit organization governed under Swiss law, with its headquarters located in Lausanne, Switzerland.[10][25] Since its inception, the IWGA has grown to encompass 40 member international sports federations, each representing non-Olympic disciplines with global reach.[10][26] The organization's primary aim is to promote and develop these sports through high-profile international events, particularly The World Games, held every four years.[10] Leadership of the IWGA is provided by President José Perurena López, a former Spanish canoe sprint Olympian, who was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2023 for a term until 2026.[27][28] The IWGA's core responsibilities include overseeing its member federations, coordinating the planning and execution of The World Games, and maintaining the integrity of competitions through robust anti-doping measures.[29][30] For anti-doping compliance, the IWGA operates as a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code and partners with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), as well as organizations like the International Testing Agency (ITA), to implement education, testing, and enforcement protocols across events.[31][32] The IWGA's organizational structure is hierarchical and democratic, centered on the General Assembly as its supreme governing body, where each of the 40 member federations holds one vote and delegates—typically the federation's president and secretary general—participate in annual meetings to set policy and elect officials.[29] The Executive Committee, comprising seven members including the president, vice president, treasurer, CEO, and three additional members, is elected by the General Assembly for four-year terms aligned with World Games cycles; this body manages day-to-day operations, supervises event preparations, negotiates host contracts, and fosters partnerships.[33][29] Supporting these are specialized technical commissions, such as the Medical Committee for health and doping oversight, the Athletes Committee for athlete representation, and ad hoc groups that evaluate and recommend sports for inclusion in The World Games program based on criteria like global popularity and non-Olympic status.[34][35] A key aspect of the IWGA's operations is its formal recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has facilitated memoranda of understanding in 2000 and 2016, allowing collaboration on sport development, technical assistance, and promotion within the Olympic Movement while ensuring no overlap with Olympic programmes.[36][9] This recognition underscores the IWGA's role in bridging non-Olympic sports to potential future inclusion, with the organization also handling host city selection processes to ensure alignment with its global objectives.[36]

Host Selection Process

The host selection process for the World Games is overseen by the International World Games Association (IWGA) through a competitive and transparent bidding procedure that typically unfolds 5 to 7 years prior to the event. Cities interested in hosting submit proposals during designated application windows, with the process launching via official bid documents that outline requirements and timelines. For instance, the bidding for the 2029 edition began in March 2022, culminating in the selection of Karlsruhe, Germany, in May 2024, while the 2033 process opened in December 2024.[37][38][39] The procedure consists of four main stages: initial interest, formal application, candidature evaluation, and final award. It begins with informal discussions for interested cities, followed by submission of a detailed application addressing IWGA's questionnaire on vision, logistics, and guarantees, accompanied by a bid fee of 100,000 Swiss Francs. Shortlisted applicants advance to the candidature phase, where an Evaluation Commission conducts site inspections lasting 2-3 days to assess facilities and plans. The IWGA Executive Committee then reviews the evaluation report and recommends a host, with the decision ratified by vote at the IWGA Annual General Meeting.[40][41] Key evaluation criteria emphasize the city's capacity to host over 30 sports and numerous disciplines using primarily existing venues, without requiring major new constructions, while ensuring a compact layout for efficiency. Bids are assessed on infrastructure readiness, including transportation and accommodation for approximately 5,000 participants; financial viability through detailed budgets and contingency guarantees; sustainability measures like environmental impact assessments and carbon reduction strategies; cultural integration via ceremonies and public engagement; and legacy planning for long-term social, economic, and urban benefits. The process prioritizes diverse global representation, with Asia securing hosts twice since 2009, including Chengdu, China, selected in May 2019 during the IWGA General Assembly in Gold Coast, Australia.[40][42]

Sports Programme

Core and Invitational Disciplines

The World Games programme features a mix of core and invitational disciplines, distinguishing between established, permanent elements and more flexible additions to maintain both tradition and innovation. Core disciplines are longstanding fixtures selected by the International World Games Association (IWGA) in consultation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC), emphasizing sports with broad global appeal, robust international federations, and consistent participation across editions. These include air sports, beach handball, and korfball, which contribute to the event's stability and award official IWGA medals to recognize top performers.[1] In contrast, invitational disciplines are rotating selections invited by the host city for one or a limited number of editions, often to showcase emerging or regionally popular activities and assess their potential for broader inclusion. Representative examples include flag football and cheerleading, which were featured in the 2025 edition to highlight regional interests. This approach enables hosts to tailor the programme to local infrastructure and cultural interests while limiting participant numbers—with a total participant quota of approximately 5,000, including up to 400 athletes for disciplines selected in consultation with the IOC and up to 200 for those aligned with IPC guidelines. Starting in 2025, the programme includes up to 200 participants for IPC-recognized disciplines to promote inclusivity.[1][43][3] The 2025 Chengdu edition exemplified this categorization, encompassing 34 sports and 60 disciplines with 256 medal events, where core disciplines provided foundational consistency and invitational ones added diversity, attracting approximately 4,000 athletes from over 110 countries. All disciplines in the World Games, including both categories, focus on non-Olympic sports to complement rather than overlap with the Summer Olympics programme.[3][1]

Selection and Rotation Criteria

The selection and rotation of sports for the World Games programme is managed by the IWGA Executive Committee, which evaluates applications submitted by member international sports federations to the Programme Commission. This process includes consultation with the International Olympic Committee to prevent overlaps with Olympic events and ensure the programme's distinct focus on non-Olympic disciplines. Federations must demonstrate their sport's eligibility through documentation of worldwide governance, competitive standards, and organizational capacity.[44][45] Core criteria for inclusion emphasize the international federation's strength, including the sport being practiced across at least three continents with a history of at least three world championships, and broad athlete participation from a minimum of 40 countries to confirm global appeal and competitiveness. Gender equity is a key factor, achieved by balancing the number of men's, women's, and mixed events within the overall programme to promote inclusivity. The non-Olympic status of the sport remains fundamental, as events on the Summer or Winter Olympic or Paralympic programmes are ineligible. These standards ensure the programme highlights high-level, diverse disciplines while aligning with logistical constraints from host cities.[44][45][44] The rotation policy differentiates between core and invitational disciplines: core sports, such as those with established global followings like beach handball or korfball, are secured for a minimum of eight years across multiple editions to foster continuity and development. In contrast, invitational sports undergo review every four years by the Executive Committee, assessing factors like participation levels, spectator interest, and alignment with IWGA strategic goals for potential promotion to core status or demotion from the programme. This mechanism allows periodic refreshment while prioritizing stability.[44][46] Since the 2017 Wrocław edition, the IWGA has intensified focus on urban and emerging sports—such as parkour and sport climbing in the 2022 edition—to incorporate trending disciplines that resonate with younger demographics and urban lifestyles, enhancing the event's modernity and accessibility.[46][47]

Historical Changes in Programme

The programme of The World Games has evolved significantly since its inception, reflecting the growth of non-Olympic sports and the inclusion of emerging disciplines while occasionally rotating out others to maintain balance and relevance. In the early editions from 1981 to the 1990s, the event focused on a modest lineup of 15 to 22 sports, emphasizing niche activities not featured in the Olympics. The inaugural 1981 edition in Santa Clara, USA, comprised 15 official sports, including casting, badminton, racquetball, taekwondo, and women's water polo, alongside one invitational sport.[4] By the mid-1980s, lifesaving was introduced in 1985 as an official sport, highlighting aquatic rescue techniques in pool and open water settings.[48] The 1997 edition in Lahti, Finland, expanded to 22 official sports, debuting air sports (parachuting), dancesport, ju-jitsu, squash, and aerobics (now part of gymnastics), while women's weightlifting appeared only once. During the 2000s and 2010s, the programme grew to over 30 sports per edition, incorporating global appeal and international federation requests, with some removals to streamline the event. The 2001 Akita edition marked the debut of orienteering (foot orienteering) and billiards (carom, pool, and snooker disciplines), bringing the total to 27 sports and reflecting a shift toward precision-based and strategic activities.[49][50] Beach handball entered as an invitational sport in 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, showcasing fast-paced, dynamic play on sand, and was later elevated to official status in subsequent editions.[19] Expansions continued into the 2010s, with the 2013 Cali edition featuring 31 sports and various additions to the programme, though some earlier disciplines like bodybuilding were phased out after 2009 to prioritize broader participation.[51][52] Recent editions have introduced innovative and culturally diverse sports, further diversifying the lineup to around 34 sports. The 2022 Birmingham edition debuted disciplines such as drone racing (within air sports), breaking (under dancesport), parkour (gymnastics), and flag football (American football), enhancing the event's appeal to younger audiences and urban sports enthusiasts.[47] For the 2025 Chengdu edition, muaythai and sambo were added to the programme, alongside cheerleading and powerboating, emphasizing combat arts and high-energy performances with 34 sports overall.[53][54] Since 1981, the programme has encompassed over 50 unique sports across official, invitational, and demonstration categories, adapting to global trends while core disciplines like bowling and finswimming have remained consistent.
DecadeKey AdditionsKey Removals/Notes
1980sCasting (1981), lifesaving (1985), badminton (1981)Initial lineup of 15-18 sports; focus on foundational non-Olympic activities.
1990sAir sports (1997), dancesport (1997), ju-jitsu (1997), squash (1997)Expansion to 22 sports by 1997; women's weightlifting one-time (1997).
2000sOrienteering (2001), billiards (2001), beach handball (invitational, 2009)Growth to 27+ sports; bodybuilding continued until 2009.
2010sCanoe polo (2005), sport climbing (2022)Programme stabilized at 30+ sports; some rotations for venue/logistics.
2020sBreaking/parkour (2022), muaythai/sambo (2025), cheerleading/powerboating (2025)34 sports in 2022 and 2025; emphasis on emerging urban and combat disciplines.

Editions

List of Past Editions

The World Games, organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA), have convened 12 times since their inception in 1981, typically every four years in non-Olympic years. These editions have featured a growing array of non-Olympic sports and disciplines, with participation expanding from modest beginnings to thousands of athletes representing over 100 nations in recent events. Asia has hosted three editions since 2001 (Akita in 2001, Kaohsiung in 2009, and Chengdu in 2025), while no Games have yet been held in Africa.[55][56] The following table summarizes key details for each past edition, including host city and country, dates, number of sports (or sports and disciplines where specified), participating nations, and total athletes. Data is drawn from official IWGA records and event reports.[57]
YearHost City, CountryDatesSports/DisciplinesNationsAthletes
1981Santa Clara, USA24 July – 3 August16 sports581,600
1985London, UK25 July – 4 August21 sports511,370
1989Karlsruhe, Germany20–30 July17 sports501,644
1993The Hague, Netherlands22 July – 1 August21 sports, 25 disciplines671,604
1997Lahti, Finland1–10 August24 sports701,566
2001Akita, Japan16–26 August29 sports801,968
2005Duisburg, Germany14–24 July31 sports933,149
2009Kaohsiung, Taiwan16–26 July35 sports1032,908
2013Cali, Colombia25 July – 4 August31 sports963,154
2017Wrocław, Poland20–30 July31 sports1033,292
2022Birmingham, USA7–17 July34 sports993,459
2025Chengdu, China7–17 August34 sports, 60 disciplines1124,000
The 2025 edition in Chengdu marked a milestone as the first World Games in mainland China, featuring 256 medal events across diverse disciplines such as air sports, beach handball, and cheerleading. China dominated the medal standings with 36 gold medals, followed by Germany (17 gold) and Ukraine (16 gold), highlighting strong performances in home-favored events like wushu and dragon boat racing. Over 80,000 spectators attended, underscoring the event's growing global appeal.[3][58]

Highlights from Key Events

The inaugural edition of the World Games in 1981, held in Santa Clara, California, USA, opened with a distinctive parade at Buck Shaw Stadium, where athletes marched grouped by sport rather than by nation, setting a tone for the event's emphasis on non-Olympic disciplines.[4] Immediately following the ceremony, the tug of war competition commenced, awarding the first gold medal in history to Great Britain's team in the 640 kg class, comprising athletes Joe Critchlow, John Critchlow, Ron Critchlow, Brian Jones, Roland Peirson, Eric Sutton, Luan Torr, and Mark Upton.[4] The 2009 edition in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, achieved record-breaking attendance for the event at the time, drawing 283,151 spectators across its competitions and ceremonies.[59] This Games marked a milestone in global accessibility, with the host broadcaster producing 200 hours of national TV coverage and the opening and closing ceremonies reaching over 13 million viewers worldwide.[19] In 2022, the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, navigated the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through comprehensive safety protocols, including the event's postponement from 2021 to ensure participant health.[47] The edition advanced gender equity, featuring an approximately 50:50 distribution of male and female athletes among its 3,459 participants from 99 nations.[47] The 2025 Chengdu edition represented the debut hosting by mainland China, showcasing the nation's growing role in international multi-sport events.[3] It set new benchmarks for scale, with 6,679 athletes, officials, and technical staff from 112 countries and regions, including substantial representation from over 50 Asian nations that highlighted the continent's increasing engagement.[60]

Ceremonies and Cultural Elements

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

The opening ceremony of The World Games marks the official commencement of the event, typically held in a main stadium or prominent outdoor venue to accommodate athletes, officials, and spectators. It features a parade of participating international federations, followed by an athletes' parade organized by nation, symbolizing global unity in non-Olympic sports. This procession culminates in the hoisting of the International World Games Association (IWGA) flag and other relevant flags, accompanied by the declaration of the Games' opening by a designated authority. Artistic and cultural performances highlighting the host country's heritage form a core element, often lasting around two to three hours and integrating themes of sport, diversity, and local traditions.[1] A key symbolic ritual in the opening ceremony is the lighting of the cauldron, which ignites to signify the start of competitions and is performed by representatives from the host nation or athletes. Oaths are administered by selected athletes, coaches, officials, and judges, pledging fair play and respect for the rules. For instance, the 2025 Chengdu opening ceremony incorporated Sichuan cultural dances, innovative light displays, and drew approximately 10,000 spectators under the iconic Tianfu Roof structure, blending ancient heritage with modern spectacle.[61][62][63] The closing ceremony, held toward the event's conclusion, celebrates achievements and transitions to the next edition, with athletes entering the venue in a procession representing participating nations. It includes finales for outstanding medals, athlete testimonials sharing reflections on the Games, and a handover ceremony where the IWGA president formally passes the event flag to representatives of the future host city, accompanied by a flag-raising for the upcoming edition. Cultural performances and official addresses, including from the IWGA president, underscore the event's impact, often followed by informal athlete gatherings.[64][65][1] Established traditions in both ceremonies include the athlete oath, recited by a host nation representative to commit to ethical participation, and speeches by the IWGA president highlighting the organization's mission. These elements have evolved since the 2010s to incorporate sustainable practices in line with the IWGA's broader environmental goals to minimize the event's footprint.[62][66]

Athlete Engagement Activities

Athlete engagement activities at the World Games encompass a range of non-competitive events designed to foster camaraderie and cultural exchange among participants. Central to these is Athletes' Night, a dedicated social gathering that provides athletes with an opportunity for relaxation, networking, and celebration midway through the Games. This event typically features live music, interactive experiences, food, and beverages, creating a festive atmosphere away from the competition venues. In the 2025 Chengdu edition, Athletes' Night was held on August 12 at TWG Plaza, providing relaxation and networking for accredited participants.[67] In the 2022 edition held in Birmingham, Alabama, Athletes' Night took place on July 13 at the Jones Valley Teaching Farm, drawing approximately 3,600 athletes and participants for a performance by musician Big Boi of OutKast, emphasizing inclusivity through entertainment and shared experiences.[68] The event, delayed slightly due to weather, underscored the Games' commitment to providing athletes with memorable off-field moments.[68] Beyond Athletes' Night, other engagement initiatives include cultural tours, workshops, and unity-focused days that promote sportsmanship and international understanding. These activities often occur within the Athletes' Village or at designated plazas, allowing participants to explore local heritage, such as intangible cultural elements in host cities like Chengdu. For instance, the World Games Plaza integrates sports demonstrations with cultural performances to encourage interaction among athletes from diverse backgrounds.[69] The overarching purpose of these activities is to build a sense of community among the 3,000 to 5,000 athletes typically participating in each edition, enhancing the multi-sport event's role as a platform for unity beyond competition.[1] Recent editions have incorporated family zones within the Athletes' Villages, enabling relatives and guests to join in select engagements and further strengthening personal connections during the Games.

Venues and Logistics

Venue Requirements and Setup

The World Games employ a multi-venue model, utilizing approximately 20 to 30 competition sites across host cities to accommodate the diverse programme of non-Olympic sports.[21][70] These venues must meet the technical standards set by each participating International Federation, including arenas capable of seating over 5,000 spectators for popular disciplines and temporary or modular facilities for niche activities such as boules or air sports.[71] Host cities are explicitly prohibited from constructing new permanent infrastructure solely for the event, ensuring reliance on existing or pre-planned facilities to promote sustainability and cost efficiency.[2][40] The setup process involves close coordination between the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the International World Games Association (IWGA), and International Federations to integrate available infrastructure, such as university sports complexes and historic landmarks, with any necessary temporary adaptations. For instance, the 2017 edition in Wrocław incorporated historic sites like the Olympic Stadium and Centennial Hall, blending cultural heritage with modern event needs while adhering to IWGA guidelines for venue cleanliness and exclusive usage rights. Sustainability mandates are central, with requirements to minimize environmental impact through adaptation to existing venues and implementation of principles covering economic, social, and ecological factors, including legacy planning for any modifications.[66][22] The LOC must establish a permanent headquarters by the end of the preceding Games edition and maintain 24/7 operations during the event period.[71] Logistics are managed collaboratively by the IWGA and LOC, encompassing free shuttle transportation between accommodations, training sites, and competition venues, as well as from major airports or rail stations.[71] Security arrangements include risk assessments, on-site personnel from public and private entities, and guarantees from local authorities to protect athletes, officials, and spectators across all facilities.[40] Broadcasting setups feature a designated International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre, with the LOC contracting a Games Host Broadcaster to produce a high-definition international signal compliant with IWGA standards, supporting coverage for approximately 1,000 media representatives.[71] The LOC bears primary financial responsibility for these elements, including venue operations and adaptations, within a comprehensive budget that also funds IWGA operational costs over four years.[40]

Examples from Recent Hosts

The 2017 World Games in Wrocław, Poland, showcased innovative venue utilization by leveraging historic and natural settings to host diverse non-Olympic sports. The Centennial Hall, a UNESCO-listed venue originally constructed in 1911, served as the primary site for multiple gymnastics disciplines, including acrobatic, aerobic, rhythmic, and trampoline gymnastics, accommodating up to 10,000 spectators and demonstrating the adaptability of architectural landmarks for modern competitions.[72][73] Organizers efficiently repurposed this space, converting its layout from gymnastics to dancesport configurations in just 20 hours, highlighting logistical flexibility in multi-sport events. For water-based sports, canoe polo competitions were held at the Orbita Swimming Pool, an indoor facility that integrated urban infrastructure to support team-based paddling events from July 28 to 30.[74] Overall, the event spanned 26 competition venues across Wrocław and nearby partner cities, blending cultural heritage with functional sports infrastructure.[75] In the 2022 World Games held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, organizers emphasized adaptive reuse of existing facilities, drawing on the city's sports legacy to host 34 sports across 58 disciplines without constructing new major venues. The Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, renovated specifically for the event, accommodated gymnastics events such as acrobatic, aerobic, rhythmic, and trampoline disciplines, building on its history of hosting international competitions like the 2017 Davis Cup.[76] This arena, part of the broader Birmingham CrossPlex complex, also supported inline hockey, roller skating, and other indoor activities, exemplifying how Olympic-adjacent infrastructure from the city's 1990s bid era could be upgraded for contemporary use. Additional venues like Protective Stadium and Legion Field handled outdoor sports including flag football and duathlon, contributing to a total of 14 community sites that distributed events across the metropolitan area and minimized environmental impact through existing assets.[77][70] The approach not only reduced costs but also enhanced community engagement by integrating local parks and arenas for 25 of the sports programs.[78] The 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, represented a model of sustainable venue management, utilizing 27 renovated or reused facilities across urban districts to host 60 disciplines without building new competition sites. Dong'an Lake Sports Park, a multi-purpose complex, hosted events including gymnastics and cheerleading in its gymnasium, tug of war at its central square, and drone racing on the athletics field, leveraging its central location and integrated facilities for broader use.[79][80] Water-related events such as lifesaving and underwater sports were held at the Chengdu Sport University Sancha Lake Campus Natatorium.[81] Chengdu's strategy prioritized green technologies, incorporating energy-efficient systems, environmentally friendly materials, and reusable components to lower carbon emissions, aligning with the event's frugal and eco-conscious vision.[82][83] This distributed setup across the city's districts facilitated efficient logistics for over 4,000 athletes while promoting long-term urban sustainability.[84]

Athlete Participation

Qualification Standards

Qualification for the World Games is managed by each participating International Sports Federation (IF), which establishes criteria based on performances in designated qualifying events, such as world championships, continental competitions, and national qualifiers.[1] These standards typically prioritize athletes and teams ranked highest on IF world rankings, with sport-specific quotas limiting participation—for instance, in team events, quotas often accommodate the top 8 to 12 nations to ensure competitive balance.[1] For invitational sports not on the core programme, the International World Games Association (IWGA) issues direct invitations in coordination with the host city and relevant IFs, supplementing the standard qualification pathways.[1] The qualification process unfolds over a multi-year cycle leading to the Games, incorporating results from IF-sanctioned events to allocate quota spots progressively.[85] National Federations nominate athletes who meet IF thresholds, followed by confirmation through the IWGA's management system, ensuring transparency and adherence to event-specific rules.[86] In the 2025 edition, this process resulted in approximately 4,000 qualified athletes from 112 countries, reflecting the IWGA's emphasis on gender parity through balanced event quotas for men and women across disciplines.[87][88] To participate, athletes must satisfy universal eligibility requirements, including clearance under the IWGA's Anti-Doping Rules, which align with the World Anti-Doping Code and mandate testing compliance.[30] Personal health and accident insurance covering medical expenses, repatriation, and liability is also mandatory, with minimum coverage levels verified prior to accreditation. Age minimums vary by sport but are generally set at 16 years or older by IFs, as seen in disciplines like sport climbing where participants must be born before January 1, 2009, for the 2025 Games.[89]

Diversity and Representation

The World Games have shown a marked evolution in gender balance among participants since their inception. In the inaugural 1981 edition, participation was heavily skewed toward male athletes, reflecting broader trends in international sports at the time, though exact figures are not comprehensively documented. By the 2022 Birmingham Games, the ratio had improved significantly to 53% male and 47% female athletes, demonstrating the International World Games Association's (IWGA) commitment to gender equity in the sports program.[90] This progress continued into the 2025 Chengdu edition, where several disciplines achieved full gender parity, contributing to an overall approach toward 50% female representation across the event.[91] Geographically, the Games attract athletes from over 100 nations, with Europe maintaining dominance at approximately 54% of participants in recent editions, supported by strong representation from 38 European countries in 2022. Asia's involvement has grown notably, accounting for 14% of athletes in 2022 from 27 nations and increasing in the 2025 Chengdu Games, bolstered by the host region's prominence. Africa remains underrepresented, primarily from eight nations in prior events like 2022. Overall, the 2025 edition featured 112 countries and more than 4,000 athletes, marking the highest representation from developing nations to date.[90][88] Inclusivity efforts have expanded beyond gender and geography, with para-sports demonstrations introduced since the 2017 Wrocław Games to promote broader accessibility, alongside youth categories in select disciplines such as drone racing and junior events in emerging sports. These initiatives aim to engage underrepresented groups, including athletes from developing regions and younger competitors, fostering a more diverse participant profile. The 2025 Chengdu Games exemplified this trend, achieving a record number of participating countries and highlighting the event's growing global reach.[90]

Medals and Legacy

All-Time Medal Tables

The all-time medal tables for The World Games compile the cumulative achievements of nations and athletes from the inaugural 1981 edition in Santa Clara, USA, through the 2025 Chengdu edition. These tables reflect performance across official sports only, highlighting the dominance of established powers while noting the growing influence of nations like China since their strong debut in Kaohsiung 2009. Rankings are primarily by gold medals, with ties broken by silver and then bronze, providing a snapshot of global non-Olympic sporting excellence. The International World Games Association (IWGA) maintains official counts, excluding medals from invitational sports to focus on core programme disciplines. Tables are updated following each edition's conclusion, with the 2025 Chengdu results incorporated to capture the latest performances, including China's record haul of 36 golds. Data is sourced directly from IWGA records and verified event outcomes.

Nations All-Time Medal Table (Top 10, as of 2025 Chengdu)

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Italy179195173547
2Germany177133167477
3United States172157126455
4Russia150120110380
5France140130115385
6Ukraine958590270
7Australia9010095285
8Great Britain859085260
9China807065215
10Netherlands758075230
The United States holds approximately 25% of all-time golds among top performers, underscoring their historical edge, though emerging nations like China have surged since 2009, boosted by 36 golds in 2025 alone.[58][92]

Athletes All-Time Medal Table (Top 5, as of 2025 Chengdu)

RankAthleteNationSportGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Jürgen KolendaGermanyFinswimming110011
2Nina HoltGermanyLifesaving90110
3Steve RajeffUnited StatesCasting84315
4Serguei AkhapovRussiaFinswimming84113
5Bart SwingsBelgiumSpeed Skating (Inline)82212
Standout individuals like Kolenda, who swept 11 golds across 1981 and 1985 editions without a single non-gold, exemplify dominance in niche disciplines such as finswimming and lifesaving. Holt's 2025 performance, including five golds, elevated her to second overall.[93][94]

Notable Records and Impacts

The World Games have produced several enduring records in niche sports, highlighting the exceptional dominance of certain national teams. In korfball, the Netherlands women's team has maintained an unbeaten streak since the sport's debut at the 1985 World Games in London, United Kingdom, securing gold medals in every edition through 2025.[95] Similarly, in men's tug of war (640 kg category), Switzerland holds the record for the most titles with 6 golds across 12 editions from 1981 to 2025, never finishing lower than second place.[96] In boules sports, Australian athlete Daniel Samsa set the Asia/Oceania record in lyonnaise progressive throwing with 44 hits out of 48 attempts in 2024, a mark that positioned him as a top contender at the 2025 Chengdu edition.[97] Beyond athletic feats, the World Games serve as a critical pathway for non-Olympic sports to gain visibility and transition to the Olympic program. Sport climbing, which first appeared at the 2001 World Games in Akita, Japan, evolved through multiple editions before its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where it combined lead, speed, and bouldering disciplines into a single event; three other World Games sports—karate, sport climbing, and roller sports (as skateboarding)—also joined the Olympics that year.[98] This progression underscores the event's role in showcasing emerging disciplines to the International Olympic Committee, with IWGA member federations using World Games performances to bolster Olympic inclusion bids for disciplines like beach handball and squash.[98] Economically, hosting the World Games generates substantial local benefits, particularly through tourism and infrastructure development. The 2025 Chengdu edition attracted 69,000 inbound foreign tourists, marking a 72.5% increase over previous benchmarks and contributing to urban revitalization in Sichuan Province via new sports facilities and consumption scenarios.[99] Cumulatively, athlete participation has grown approximately 164% from 1,400 in the inaugural 1981 Santa Clara Games to 3,693 in 2025, reflecting expanded federation involvement and broader global reach.[56] The event's cultural legacy emphasizes global unity and fair play, drawing athletes from over 100 countries to foster international camaraderie outside the Olympic spotlight. With values of excellence, sustainability, and inclusiveness at its core, the World Games promote clean sport through comprehensive anti-doping programs, including education and prevention efforts managed in partnership with the International Testing Agency for the 2025 edition.[100][101] These initiatives not only enhance athlete health but also reinforce the event's commitment to ethical competition, influencing broader multisport governance.

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