The Birmingham Organizing Committee announces the next three competition venues for The World Games 2022; Birmingham Southern College, Sloss Furnaces and Avondale Park.
“We’re excited to announce this next round of venues for The Games,” The World Games 2022 CEO Nick Sellers said. “As we move closer and closer to the beginning of The Games, the announcement of venues where these world-class athletes will be competing, and where fans from all over will congregate to watch, drives the anticipation. All of our venues offer athletes and fans alike a unique sporting experience they wouldn’t get anywhere else.”
At the historic Sloss Furnaces, spectators will watch athletes compete in the adrenaline inducing Sport Climbing, Breaking, Parkour and Beach Handball.
Originally operated as a pig iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971, Sloss Furnaces became one of the first industrial sites (and the only blast furnace) in the U.S. to be preserved and restored for public use. In 1981, the furnaces were designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.
“Sloss Furnaces is an important reminder of the dreams and struggles of the people who worked in the industries that made Birmingham the Magic City,” said Sloss Furnaces Executive Director Karen Utz. “In that same vein, we’re excited to help show the rest of the world that spirit with our involvement in The World Games. This global event will mark yet another historical chapter in the history of the Sloss Furnaces.”
Several competitions will take place across the campus of Birmingham Southern College. Panther Stadium, the home of Birmingham Southern Soccer, will play host to Fistball. Bill Battle Coliseum, the home of Birmingham Southern Basketball, will host several competitions including Karate, Wushu and Ju-Jitsu.
Founded in 1856, Birmingham Southern is home to more than 1,300 students from 33 states and 16 countries. The college currently offers five bachelor degrees in more than 50 programs of study, as well as interdisciplinary and individualized majors and dual degree programs.
“Our college could not be more thrilled to be a part of The World Games 2022,” said Birmingham Southern president Daniel B. Coleman. “A huge part of our mission at Birmingham Southern is promoting the community that surrounds us, and we see that same vision in The World Games 2022. We can’t wait for fans and athletes from all over the world to come to Birmingham and to our campus and see what we are all about.”
At Avondale Park, the natural beauty of Birmingham will be on full display for Target Archery and Field Archery competitions.
Avondale Park is a 40-acre wooded park on the slopes of Red Mountain that sits directly across from one of the most popular neighborhoods in Birmingham. The park re-opened after $2.88 million in city-funded renovations in November of 2013 and offers Birmingham residents plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation.
“Avondale Park is one of the best recreational areas our community has to offer, making it a perfect venue for The World Games 2022,” Birmingham Parks and Recreation Director Shonae Eddis-Bennett said. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to show off Avondale Park to fans and athletes from all over the world.”
“Sustainability has always been one of the core values of The World Games, which is why the host cities are not required to build new venues for The Games,” said IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow. “Birmingham has excellent conditions for hosting international sports events, and these three venues, along with the other impressive existing facilities, will be perfect stages for our world-class athletes.”
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in The World Games.