The World Games 2022 Birmingham, USA are over. Here are some figures of the 11th edition of the multi-sport event that was held 7–17 2022 July in Alabama:
- We saw 3,459 athletes from 99 nations compete.
- We witnessed outstanding performances in 34 sports, 58 disciplines and 223 medal events.
- We enjoyed the thrilling atmosphere at 23 venues.
- 375,000 spectators created this special atmosphere: for the feeling of being in Sweet Home Alabama.
- Those who could not be present in the stadium watched on the screen. ISB, our host broadcaster, produced 640 hours of TV pictures of the Games with more than 300 employees from 21 countries.
- These images were shown on TV in more than 80 countries, including the USA, China, Germany and Ukraine, as well as throughout South America.
- Those who could not watch the Games on TV used Olympics.com to stream the thrilling performances of The World Games 2022. In short, the whole world was watching the athletes perform at their best.
- 750 media representatives had accredited for the Games. By far the majority came from the United States.
- 32 National Olympic Committees or National Sports Organizations were present in Birmingham to support the athletes from their countries.
- To make sure that everyone knew what the score was, what time was run or not run, or what points were awarded by the judges, the Result Module from Swiss Timing provided prompt service. It can be accessed through on our website.
- We experienced the tireless efforts of 3,000 volunteers who made the athletes feel that Southern Hospitality comes from the heart and shows up with a smile.
- Germany won the medal standings for the first time at The World Games with 24 gold, 7 silver and 16 bronze medals. Team USA used the home advantage and came second with 16 gold, 18 silver and 10 bronze medals. Ukraine came in third (16/12/17). Germany is now ranked two (behind Italy) in the overall medal tally of all 11 editions.
- We rejoice with 73 countries that won a medal at The World Games. That is a new record number, and there for several who won their first medal ever: Brunei, Panama, India, Tunisia and Virgin Islands, USA.
- Johana VIVEROS MONDRAGON from Colombia won four times gold and once silver in Speed Skating. She was the athletes with most medals at The World Games 2022. Nina HOLT from Germany won four times gold and one bronze in Life Saving.
- Bart SWINGS (Belgium) is the first athlete to win gold at both the Olympic Games and The World Games in the same year. In Birmingham, the speed skater won four gold and one bronze. Earlier this year, in February, he won Olympic gold in Ice Skating.
- We saw how the powerlifter Yukoko Fukushima won gold for the first time at her sixth edition of The World Games. The legendary powerlifter proved that perseverance pays off.
- The Dutch in Korfball, on the other hand, know no dry spell. They took part for the tenth time and won gold for the tenth time.
- The first gold medal of the Games went to the Colombian skater Geiny Pajaro, who won the 200 meters time trial at 9:43 am on Friday 8th July. The last one was awarded to the Men’s Canoe Polo Team from Germany on Sunday 18th July at 3:15pm.
- A new sport on the programme was Wheelchair Rugby – this was the first time a para-sport was on the programme of The World Games. Drone Racing (Air Sports), Breaking (DanceSport), Parkour (Gymnastics) and Flag Football (American Football) made their debut as new disciplines in Birmingham, Alabama.
- And another premiere: The World Games were introducing EGaming for the first time. Fans could try their hand at the virtual versions of our sports Archery, Baseball and Racquetball.
- Birmingham's Mayor Randall Woodfin officially opened the Games on 7 July and IWGA President José Perurena ceremoniously closed them on 17 July.
- IOC President Thomas Bach said during his visit: "If the athletes are happy, we're happy." What we heard from the athletes was: "We are very happy here in Birmingham." The response from the athletes on social media was also overwhelmingly positive.
- An emotional moment: The 98 athletes from Ukraine were greeted with a standing ovation by the 27,000 spectators as they entered Protective Stadium for the Opening Ceremony.
- Sergey Bubka, the President of the Ukrainian NOC, received a cheque for 54,000 dollars from the hands of the Chair of the Birmingham Organising Committee, Jonathan Porter. From each ticket and merchandise item sold since April 2022, the organisers had donated one dollar for the reconstruction of sports facilities in Ukraine.
- The President of the USA, Joe Biden, sent a letter to the athletes and organisers with words of encouragement and appreciation.
- Chengdu, People's Republic of China invited us to celebrate the 12th edition of The World Games in 2025.
Thank You, Birmingham! We had an amazing time in Alabama.
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 is held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries take part in The World Games.
