The Kaohsiung Organizing Committee (KOC) and the Chinese Taipei Roller Sports Federation signed the official contract to stage the 2008 World Roller Figure Skating Championships in the World Games host city. The four signatories to the contract were James Pollard, President of the International Roller Sport's Federation's (FIRS) Artistic Skating Committee, KOC chief executive Chi, national roller sports federation president Chiang and Kaohsiung deputy mayor Chiu.1200 athletes from over 30 nations are expected to enter the FIRS World Championships held at the  I-Shou University from 8 to 22 November. The 2008 World Championships, aside from determining this year's champions, decide which athletes will be entitled to return to Kaohsiung for The World Games in 2009. Artistic roller skating is one of the disciplines on the games' Official Sports Program.The FIRS World Championships will also allow the KOC staff to test their systems ahead of next year's World Games. With approximately one fourth of the number of athletes and officials involved in The World Games, the 2008 championships set the stage for the final full dress rehearsal for KOC staff and volunteers in areas such as accreditation, transport, catering, media, etc.