The International World Games Association (IWGA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) agreed on a new Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday. IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach and President José Perurena of the IWGA signed this important agreement about mutual support during the SportAccord Convention in Lausanne. This document supersedes the previous Memorandum of Understanding dated 27 October 2000.
source: IWGAAll five World Games sports short-listed for consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will feature in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. This landmark decision was taken yesterday by the IOC Executive Board, meeting in Rio de Janeiro. It means that baseball/softball, karate, skateboard, sports climbing and surfing will be on the official Olympic sports programme in 2020.
The IOC chose these sports to represent "both traditional and emerging, youth-focused events”. In total, the five World Games sports will present 18 events in Tokyo, with 474 athletes and roughly equal numbers of men and women.
Directly after the vote had taken place in Rio, IWGA President and IOC Member José Perurena personally congratulated the five International Federation Presidents invited to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Games. He expressed pleasure that these IWGA Member Federations had done such a good job for their athletes and teams, as well as for spectators and media: “The IOC Executive was clearly impressed with the level of performance and attractiveness of these sports for spectators, especially the young,” said Perurena. “These are just some of the many appealing sports that we showcase every 4 years in The World Games. The decision demonstrates that the World Games Association’s developing collaboration with the International Olympic Committee is bearing fruit.”
Sport Climbing will be just one of the popular events at next year’s edition of The World Games in Wroclaw, Poland (20 -30 July 2017). This "young and exciting“ sport first came to the attention of IOC talent scouts at previous World Games in Kaohsiung and Cali. Many other World Games sports, such as Karate, achieve similar high levels of performance and audience attraction. With the added interest provided by IOC endorsement, spectators on site in Wroclaw and watching the extensive media coverage can look forward to great World Games in 2017.
The International World Games Association has learned, that the city of Birmingham, Alabama is to receive a 20 Million Dollars grant to build up a rapid bus transit. “The federal money will help the city to support a “world-class” transport system”, as was claimed by Major William Bell after the announcement by the Federal Transit Administration.
“This is very positive news for the City of Birmingham, and of course will be an additional bonus for The World Games efforts,” added Scott Myers, member of the Organizing Committee for TWG2021. Birmingham will host the multisport-event, recognized by the IOC following Wroclaw/Poland in 2017.
source: World Games ChannelBirmingham was awarded a $20 million federal grant for a 15-mile bus rapid transit project that will connect 25 communities on the west and east sides to the city center, Mayor William Bell announced Monday at Legion Field.
Bell, who was joined by members of the city council, said the grant is part of a long-term plan to support a "world-class system" for the World Games, which Birmingham is set to host in 2021. Transportation upgrades are necessary for the Magic City in anticipation of the event, the mayor said.
José Perurena: I can say we are on track. We have set the framework. Now it is up to the Wroclaw Organizers, the federations, and our Association to fill in the details.
source: The World GamesCongratulations to Laura Zeng (15), IWGA Athlete of the Month for July 2015. The US American rhythmic gymnast swept gold five times at the Pan-American Games in Toronto.
She won the all-around title in Toronto as a first year senior. In apparatus finals, she achieved the Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon titles. At the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China she was the all-around bronze medalist. Laura Zeng, born in Libertyville, Illinois, made her senior debut this year, competing at the 2015 Moscow Grand Prix in February.
source: The World Games Channel