This will be another springboard for Chengdu to build a "world-renowned city for sports events". This event | Sports Games | Chengdu
Chengdu, August 4th (Xinhua) - When it comes to the World Games, not many people are probably aware of it. But looking up the competition events: breakdancing, frisbee, rock climbing, water skiing, orienteering, flag rugby... none of them are currently popular sports among young people. This comprehensive sports event, mainly focusing on non Olympic events, will be held in Chengdu in 2025 and will become another international competition held in Chengdu after the World University Summer Games.
What are the characteristics of the World Games as a beneficial supplement to the Olympics? What does this event mean for Chengdu, which aims to build a "world sports city"? Against the backdrop of the Olympic Games targeting young people, are the World Games concerned that their events will be taken away?
During an interview with Xinhua News Agency, Jose Perugina, President of the International World Games Association, and Joachim Gosso, CEO, who came to observe the Chengdu Universiade, gave their answers.
Jos é Perugina, Joachim Gosso, and Xinhua News Agency reporters take a group photo
The grand stage of niche emerging projects
The World Games is an international sports event hosted by the International Association of World Games, first held in 1981. In May 2019, Chengdu was awarded the right to host the 2025 World Games. This competition includes events such as archery, kayaking, gymnastics, breakdancing, and rock climbing that have already entered the Olympics and are relatively familiar to everyone, as well as relatively unfamiliar and niche events such as floatball, jujutsu, and kicking. There are also new events such as motorboat and cheerleading that have been added for the first time. It is worth mentioning that in recent years, popular domestic games such as frisbee, wake up water skiing, and waist flag rugby will also make their debut in this tournament.
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According to Gao Suo, the 11 day Chengdu World Games will include 35 major events and 58 sub events, with an expected participation of over 5000 athletes from 100 to 110 countries and regions. The World Games are equivalent to the World Championships or World Cups of 35 sports held simultaneously, similar to the Olympics.
Although some projects have become popular in China, most of them are not commonly carried out domestically. Regarding this, Gao Suo said that they will collaborate with the event organizing committee to introduce in advance, "especially those sports that are not so popular in China, but we believe are very attractive to young people in China. The World Games represent the world's sports trends, and this is an opportunity to promote them.".
The 2025 World Games promotional video icon displayed on the official website of the International World Games Association
Perugina likened the World Games to a "storefront", stating that "the World Games are very similar to the Olympics, and all athletes must qualify to participate. At that time, Chengdu was like a storefront, showcasing the best of 35 sports here, so that the International Olympic Committee could decide which event would be selected for the Olympics in the future.".
Don't worry about being "snatched" by the Olympics
The original intention of the World Games was to provide a platform for showcasing and promoting non Olympic sports. Therefore, the Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, Samaranch, referred to it as the "Level 2 Olympic Games". In recent years, in order to promote the sustainable development of the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee has also advocated targeting young people. The Olympic Games have included skateboarding, surfing, and breakdancing, which are popular among young people.
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Taking breakdancing as an example, this sport was originally a competition event at the World Games, but it was also included in the official competition event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. When asked if she was worried about being "snatched" by the Olympics, Perugina smiled and said she was not worried. He gave an example and said, "Father and son worked together, but our son was targeted and poached by a large company. I think this is a very satisfactory result. This situation often happens at the World Games, and every time the International Olympic Committee includes our project in the Olympics, we are very happy."
However, Gao Suo admitted that some events joining the Olympics still have an impact on the competition. "For example, in 2016, we lost seven-a-side rugby, which was a very important sport for us. But looking forward to the future, our events also include breakdancing, rock climbing, and water skiing, which are very interesting to young people around the world. Let me quote the President of the International Olympic Committee, who wants the Olympics to be younger, more oriented towards young people, and more service-oriented to the audience. So the Olympics selected sports from the World Games. So, it is obvious that we have provided a very good competition platform."
The official website of the International World Games Association displays its competition events
Will provide Chengdu with a "huge springboard"
In recent years, Chengdu has taken the preparation for the Universiade as a driving force, adhering to the concepts of hosting competitions, hosting cities, promoting industry, and benefiting the people, and comprehensively promoting the construction of a "world-renowned city for sports events". What does the World Games mean for this city in two years?
Perugina said, "The World Games will provide Chengdu with a huge springboard. One of the characteristics of the World Games sports events is that non Olympic events can attract many families, friends, and club members to watch, which will drive the tourism industry. After returning to China, tourists will be told that they will travel to the host country. The World Games can not only drive sports activities, but also promote tourism and cultural exchange."
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For Chengdu, Perugina describes it as "friendly, quiet, clean, and green", and "here are parks everywhere, and I think it is a very modern city.". During the Universiade, he and his team have also been observing, and what impressed me the most was the quality of the event organization, especially the quality of the facilities. I am very confident that we can hold our competition here in 2025.
Apart from competitions, Gao Suo said that during the World Games, they also plan to establish a cultural square, where athletes can gather with citizens, enjoy food, communicate together, and share their beautiful moments, which is also part of our World Games philosophy.