Thomas Bach has visited The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA, and the IOC President met many smiling athletes. The fact that the athletes are happy and can finally compete again after the Pandemic break is crucial for the Games, Thomas Bach explained in an interview. During his stay in Birmingham – accompanied by his host, IWGA President José Perurena – he met very many participants in the 11th edition of the Games, which end on Sunday 17th July. The President visited the competitions in Boules, Racquetball, Ultimate Frisbee, Wushu, Beach Handball and Korfball.
José Perurena thanked Bach for his commitment to The World Games, and for his pledge to continue supporting the event in the future.
"The World Games family and the Olympic family are closely connected, and I know Thomas Bach likes The World Games very much," said Perurena.
He sees the IOC President's visit as an expression of his support for the IWGA and for the Birmingham event.
Part of the visit was a breakfast at the Headquarters hotel, hosted by the IOC President on Wednesday morning. On that occasion, Bach presented his personal commemorative gift to IWGA President José Perurena. The sculpture depicts an overhead view of the roof of the International Olympic Committee's house. "Our house is also your house," he said invitingly to the guests.
In doing so, the IOC President emphasised that this invitation came easily, because the IWGA and its member federations share the same values and together live the Olympic motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger”. This also applies to the sports on the programme itself. "The World Games show the diversity of sports, and we see how sports develop and grow. Wushu used to be dominated by China. After the competition section I saw today, an American was ahead," said Bach.
Thomas Bach was accompanied to the various venues during the tour by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Chairman of the Birmingham Organising Committee Jonathan Porter, and its CEO Nick Sellers.
Bach said of Birmingham, "There is no time for sightseeing, but what I could see is that the city is very green. I was surprised and didn't expect it to be like this."
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.