The 12th edition of the World Games is set to officially begin in Chengdu tomorrow night, with the games running until 17 August. This year’s event will showcase 34 sports and feature over 4,000 athletes from 115 countries and regions.
According to China Daily, the opening ceremony will feature as their backdrop the Tianfu Eaves – a distinctive, 430-meter-long architectural feature of Tianfu International Convention Centre – and a large lake. The deputy chief director of ceremonies, Huang Peiling, said the opening will also feature aspects of Sichuan’s intangible cultural heritage, including the “face-changing” Sichuan Opera.
The World Games takes place once every four years and is a global multi-sport event highlighting disciplines not included in the Olympic Games.
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Unique sports such as tug of war, wushu, cheerleading, flag football, inline freeskating, and the Russian martial art sambo will be featured. Powerboating makes its debut in this year’s edition.
The games are organised by the International World Games Association (IWGA), a not-for-profit, international organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). After Chengdu, the World Games will next take place in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2029.
The official schedule of the games can be found on the World Games website.
