The International World Games Association (IWGA) has finalized plans for The World Games 2025, set to take place in Chengdu, China from August 7th to 17th. This edition of the multi-sport event, held every four years, will see an unprecedented 262 gold medals awarded across 35 sports and 62 disciplines.
This marks a significant increase from the 2022 Games in Birmingham, USA, which featured 223 medal events. The expansion aligns with the IWGA’s “Growth Beyond Excellence” strategy, introducing more diverse sports including four para disciplines, a notable increase from just one in 2022.
The event is expected to draw around 5000 athletes from over 100 countries. The IWGA’s decision-making process involved collaboration with host city Chengdu and the international federations, ensuring a diverse and inclusive sports program. New additions to the medal events include Heyball, a popular variant of Pool Billiards in China, and dragon boat races in various team sizes and distances.
Sebastian Garvens, Sports Director of the IWGA, emphasized the significance of these discussions and adjustments, highlighting the association’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, and inclusiveness. The IWGA aims to finalize and present a provisional competition schedule at their next Annual General Meeting on May 1st, 2024.
The World Games is a prestigious event organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The previous edition in 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, saw participation from 3,600 athletes in 34 sports representing 100 countries. The upcoming 12th edition in Chengdu represents a new chapter in the World Games history, promising to be a spectacular showcase of sportsmanship and cultural exchange.
