Biggest sporting event ever held in Poland
Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, declared Open the 10th edition of The World Games in Wroclaw on July 20, 2017 at exactly 20:15. In his speech, Thomas Bach underlined the close ties between The World Games and the Olympic family.
In a press conference before the festive opening in front of 25,000 spectators in the main stadium of the capital of Lower Silesia in Poland, Bach declared: "The World Games celebrate the diversity of sport.” IWGA president José Perurena was already looking forward to the first competition day: “I have been involved with six Olympics, and the quality of the venues here in Wrocław is similar to the quality of Olympics venues. It is high, high quality.” The Mayor of Wrocław, Rafał Dutkiewicz, stated that “Wrocław is ready to deliver an outstanding event.” And as it turned out, all of them were very right!
The 2017 World Games set a benchmark for the quality of the venues. 27 sports on the official programme, 4 invitational sports and 222 medal events reflect in figures the top-class sports on offer. 3,300 athletes from 103 nations fought for gold at the Games. And indeed, Wroclaw delivered an outstanding event that was well received all over the world. Thanks to the Olympic Channel and international TV stations, sports fans in over 200 nations experienced the 2017 edition of The World Games.
Even one year after the opening, the 2017 Games are unforgettable. The organisers in Wroclaw contributed to this and published a book that recalls the highlights of the ten days of competition, especially from a Polish perspective. The importance of the multi-sports event can already be read from the title: The biggest sporting event in Poland ever.The IWGA will publish an international version as an e-book. The Olympic Channel will be showing the highlights of the Games in Wroclaw for twelve hours a day from 20 to 30 July 2018. Several posts on The World Games social media platforms will celebrate the anniversary during the next few days as well. Be assured there is a lot that deserves to be remembered!
José Perurena says about the anniversary: "I love to think back to The World Games 2017. Not only because they were my first Games as IWGA President. What I remember and will remember: the organisers did a great job, the sports facilities were of a high standard, and all the participants will remember Wrocław as a friendly, hospitable and open-minded city. But above all I think back to the enthusiasm of the more than 1,500 volunteers who shaped the spirit of The World Games 2017 through their commitment.”
For the International World Games Association, the anniversary is a time to look back with satisfaction. Looking ahead, preparations for the 2021 Games in Birmingham, Alabama are well under way. The application process for the 12th edition in 2025 will be completed by the end of the month.
IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow describes The World Games 2017 as an important milestone on the way: "We are using the good results and experience to further improve our event and take it to the next level".
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, 15-25 July 2021. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in the Games.
