The History Makers
Cambodia have never won a medal at The Olympics, and until Birmingham, had never participated in The World Games either. The small Asian nation has never really excelled in sport. In fact, a search of famous Cambodian sports people reveals they have only ever won World Championships in just one sport- Boules! Ouk Sreymom became only the second person ever in their sporting history to become a World Champion. The President of Cambodia was so grateful for her first victory that he ordered, she should be presented with a gift of $25,000! Her second title last winter means that she will start as favourite in the Lyonnaise competitions. Any medal is likely to represent Cambodia's greatest sporting achievement on the world stage!
Either Canada or America is set to become the first men's lacrosse team to win gold at The World Games. The last time these great rivals met in a major Final was in a thrilling and controversial World Championship decider in Israel. In the last minute, the scores were tied. The Americans were convinced their Northern opponents had committed a foul, then Canada scored in the very last second with many observers convinced that the final whistle had sounded, before the ball entered the net.
The Fans Favourites
Arizona's Brady Ellison is in a very familiar situation, in the semi finals of a major multi-sport games Two times at both The World Games and The Olympics, he has had no problems despatching his opposition at this stage, only to inexplicably falter in the big medal time. In front of his passionate home fans, Brady will surely never have a better opportunity of taking possession of the long coveted gold.
Rhythmic Gymnastics is always a delight, the graceful, almost balletic movement and the creative ways the gymnasts find to catch the apparatus make this a sport of great charm. Israel's Daria Atamanov will come to Birmingham as the favourite in the competitions, having recently been crowned World Champion. She can hardly have a better coach, Linoy Ashram, Tokyo 2020 Overall Olympic Champion and multi medallist at the Wroclaw 2017 edition of The World Games.
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.