The History Makers
The Lifesaving competition gets under way at the Crossplex Natatorium and two French swimmers will be aiming to add to their considerable medal collection from the last two editions of The World Games in Cali 2013 and Wroclaw 2017. Justine Weyders has five golds and one silver, and as always her main competition is likely to be provided by her compatriot Magali Rousseau, who also has five golds but her sixth medal is bronze.
Luisa Rizzo could become the first wheelchair user to medal at The World Games. The 19-year-old drone pilot who is the four time Italian champion, had a super qualification round on Saturday, which is sure to give her confidence. Wheelchair archers Ben Thompson (USA) and Mariana Zunyiga have already been in action but got knocked out in early rounds. There are medals guaranteed for athletes with disabilities when the wheelchair rugby competition gets under way later this week.
The Fans Favourites
Schloss Furnace is the place to be tomorrow, when The World Games hosts two of the most spectacular and physically demanding sports for the very first time. Athletes and fans will both have their head in a spin for DanceSport Breaking. Whilst in the Gymnastic discipline of Parkour, the competitors will treat any building and street furniture as their very own obstacle course. Expect daring leaps, amazing balance at speed and tumbles galore.
Flag football in association with the NFL gets under way too, which should be a real treat for the many fans of the Crimson Tide, Alabama’s American Football side who are the most successful college football team in the United States. There is a tasty grudge match to enliven proceedings. At the last edition of The World Games in Wroclaw, in 2017, the full contact version of the sport was included as one of the invitational sports. Despite a lifetime of playing the game, the American team could only finish with the bronze medal, as France surprisingly took the title.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support 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 34 sports and over 100 countries will take part in The World Games.