Editing World Games (section)

== History ==
===Inauguration===
The idea for a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports came from the [[General Association of International Sports Federations]] (GAISF). Realising that there were few opportunities to become part of the Olympic program, non-Olympic federations wanted to form their own showcase event to increase the publicity of their sports, which they called The World Games. These federations formed a steering group in early 1979 to decide on the structure and principles of the games and search for a venue.

In May 1979, the steering group announced that they had found a venue for the first event: Santa Clara, USA.<ref>{{cite web|title=World, Continental and Intercontinental Games|url=https://library.olympic.org/Default/basicfilesdownload.ashx?itemGuid=340D61C1-5091-46CA-9C5D-608F3B0FACAC|publisher=Olympic Studies Centre|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730064818/https://library.olympic.org/Default/basicfilesdownload.ashx?itemGuid=340D61C1-5091-46CA-9C5D-608F3B0FACAC|url-status=live}}</ref>

The GAISF steering committee became the World Games Executive Council in October 1979, and the inaugural meeting of the World Games Council was held on 19–22 May 1980, with a purpose of creating the concept of the Games.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Birth|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/contents/TWG-25/The-birt-1341|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=17 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717005523/https://www.theworldgames.org/contents/TWG-25/The-birt-1341|url-status=live}}</ref> The World Games Council was renamed the [[International World Games Association]], or IWGA in 1985.<ref>Proposals of the Exco for Changes of the WG Constitution, 1984, IWGA Archives</ref>

The first edition of The World Games was held in [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara]], [[United States|USA]], in 1981. It was opened by [[Kim Un-yong]], president of the World Games executive committee, at [[Stevens Stadium|Buck Shaw Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/07/24/With-a-simple-ceremony-a-touch-of-pageantry-and/1139364795200/|title=With a simple ceremony, a touch of pageantry and...|first=Joe|last=Sargis|publisher=United Press International|date=July 24, 1981|access-date=May 29, 2021|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404072844/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/07/24/With-a-simple-ceremony-a-touch-of-pageantry-and/1139364795200/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the opening ceremony, the athletes marched sorted by sport and not by nation.

The 15 sports at the inaugural games included [[badminton]], [[Casting (fishing)|casting]], [[racquetball]], and [[taekwondo]]. The first medals of the Games were awarded in the 640 kilo class of [[Tug of war|tug-of-war]], with the gold going to the team from England.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=TWG 1981 Santa Clara, USA|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Santa-Clara-USA-1981-5|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=25 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325041421/https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Santa-Clara-USA-1981-5|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Twentieth century===

After the inaugural Games, the West Nally Group, which had provided financing for the Games in Santa Clara, became owners of the rights to the event, and took the second edition to their headquarters in [[London]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=London, GBR 1985|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/London-GBR-1985-6/summary|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730064820/https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/London-GBR-1985-6/summary|url-status=live}}</ref>

For the third Games in [[Karlsruhe]], [[1989 World Games|1989]], the West Nally Group still owned the commercial rights to the Games, but the host city was responsible for the staff and volunteers organising the event. After this, the IWGA bought back the commercial rights, and the organising committees of the host cities have been responsible for the organisation and financing since. This led to the organisers of The World Games in [[The Hague]] ([[1993 World Games|1993]]) asking the participants to pay accommodation costs.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Karlsruhe, GER 1989|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Karlsruhe-GER-1989-7/summary|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160422/https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Karlsruhe-GER-1989-7/summary|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[1997 World Games|1997 edition]] of the Games was due to be held in [[Port Elizabeth]], [[South Africa]], but in August 1994, Port Elizabeth pulled out of hosting the Games due to the [[Negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa|political situation in the country]].<ref name="Lahti">{{cite web|title=TWG 1997 Lahti, FIN|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Lahti-FIN-1997-9|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref> [[Lahti]] in [[Finland]] volunteered to host instead and signed the host contract in January 1995. [[Air sports|Airsports]], [[dancesport]], [[Aerobic gymnastics|aerobics]] and [[Jujutsu|jujitsu]] made their debut in Lahti and have been contested at the Games ever since.<ref name="Lahti"/>

Following the Games in Lahti, the [[International World Games Association|IWGA]] and [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]] agreed on a memorandum of understanding, which was signed in 2000<ref name="Lahti"/><ref>{{cite web|title=IOC and IWGA Sign Memorandum of Understanding|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-and-iwga-sign-memorandum-of-understanding|publisher=International Olympic Committee|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=17 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017233629/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-and-iwga-sign-memorandum-of-understanding|url-status=live}}</ref> Here, the IOC recognised the importance of The World Games and set out shared values, including the IOC providing patronage to Organising Committees, encouraging multi-sport national teams, and working together on anti-doping. It also set out that "disciplines/events of sport that are not on the Olympic Games program could be included on the program of the World Games".<ref>{{cite web|title=Memorandum of Understanding between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International World Games Association (IWGA)|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/files/Governing_Documents/MoU%20IOC%20-%20WGA.pdf|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160426/https://www.theworldgames.org/files/Governing_Documents/MoU%20IOC%20-%20WGA.pdf|archive-date=26 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> A further memorandum of understanding was signed in 2016.<ref name="MOU">{{cite web|title=Memorandum of Understanding between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International World Games Association (IWGA), 2016|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/files/Governing_Documents/MoU%20IOC%20-%20IWGA%202016.pdf|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718112412/https://www.theworldgames.org/files/Governing_Documents/MoU%20IOC%20-%20IWGA%202016.pdf|archive-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Twenty-first century===

In [[2001 World Games|2001]], the Games were held in [[Akita (city)|Akita]], [[Japan]] – the first time it had been held outside of North America or Europe. Several competitions were delayed or moved to an alternative venue when a typhoon hit the city. For the first time, some National Olympic Committees organised hotel accommodation for their athletes, beyond the time they were hosted by the IWGA.<ref>{{cite web|title=Akita, JAP 2021|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Akita-JPN-2001-10/summary|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160422/https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Akita-JPN-2001-10/summary|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[2005 World Games|The World Games in 2005]], in [[Duisburg]], [[Germany]], were the first World Games where athletes paraded into the opening ceremony grouped by nation. Also several standards were set in place which continue to this day, such as the television production of all sports and sports grouped by category, such as ball sports and precision sports.<ref name="Duis">{{cite web|title=Duisburg, GER 2005|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Duisburg-GER-2005-11/summary|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021}}</ref>

The [[2013 World Games|2013 Games]] in [[Cali]], [[Colombia]] were particularly noted for the large numbers of spectators, estimated at 500,000. For example, the Bullfight Ring, which was the venue for dancesport, was 'packed' for the salsa dance finals.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|title=Cali, COL 2013|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Cali-COL-2013-3/summary|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730064820/https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Cali-COL-2013-3/summary|url-status=live}}</ref>  This edition of the Games saw the first time a competition was cancelled: due to concerns about temperature and air flow at the Del Pueblo Gymnasium, where the sport of rhythmic gymnastics was taking place, the ribbons event was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldgames2013.sportresult.com/NH/en/300/Root/ViewPdf/GR0000000_C67_Apparaus%20Ribbon%20cancelled_1.1.pdf|title=Cancelled event at Cali 2013|website=sportresult.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818152642/http://worldgames2013.sportresult.com/NH/en/300/Root/ViewPdf/GR0000000_C67_Apparaus%20Ribbon%20cancelled_1.1.pdf|archive-date=18 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2017 World Games|2017 Games]] in [[Wrocław]], [[Poland]] were the first to be broadcast on the [[Olympic Channel]], to 130 countries. Both the [[Raffa (boules)|raffa]] and [[Boule lyonnaise|lyonnaise]] disciplines of [[boules]] were cancelled after a storm destroyed the venue and it could not be repaired in time.<ref name="Wroclaw">{{cite web|title=Wrocław, POL 2017|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Wroclaw-POL-2017-4/summary|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160425/https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Wroclaw-POL-2017-4/summary|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, it was announced that the [[2022 World Games|11th edition]] of The World Games was to be held in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], [[Alabama]], [[United States|USA]] in 2021, beating bids from [[Lima]], [[Peru]] and [[Ufa]], [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Birmingham, AL (USA), to be host city of The World Games 2021|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/news/the-world-games-17/birmingham-usa-to-be-host-city-of-the-world-games-2021-1417|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160426/https://www.theworldgames.org/news/the-world-games-17/birmingham-usa-to-be-host-city-of-the-world-games-2021-1417|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 April 2020, the Games were postponed to 2022 so as not to clash with the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo due to the coronavirus pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Birmingham 2021 World Games moved back a year following Tokyo 2020 postponement|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1092734/world-games-postponed-2022|publisher=Inside the Games|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730064823/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1092734/world-games-postponed-2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The World Games in Birmingham Postponed Until 2022|url=https://www.ihf.info/media-center/news/world-games-birmingham-postponed-until-2022|publisher=International Handball Federation|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=26 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526160419/https://www.ihf.info/media-center/news/world-games-birmingham-postponed-until-2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama Moves to July 2022|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/news/The-World-Games-2022-32/The-World-Games-in-Birmingham-Alabama-moves-to-JULY-2022-2010|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730064821/https://www.theworldgames.org/news/The-World-Games-2022-32/The-World-Games-in-Birmingham-Alabama-moves-to-JULY-2022-2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

No [[Parasports|parasport]] federations are currently part of the IWGA, but The World Games in Birmingham was the first edition to include parasports, with the inclusion of [[wheelchair rugby]]. Birmingham was also to include disabled athletes (one per gender) in [[archery]].<ref name="Birm">{{cite web|title=Birmingham, USA 2022|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Birmingham-USA-2022-13/summary|publisher=International World Games Association|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730064822/https://www.theworldgames.org/editions/Birmingham-USA-2022-13/summary|url-status=live}}</ref> The IWGA is also aiming to secure a partnership with the [[International Paralympic Committee]] and include a quota for para-athletes.<ref name="Growth"/>{{rp|1}}

In 2019, it was announced that The World Games in 2025 will take place in [[Chengdu]], [[China]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chengdu confirmed as host of 2025 World Games|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078982/chengdu-confirmed-as-host-of-2025-world-games|publisher=Inside the Games|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730064823/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078982/chengdu-confirmed-as-host-of-2025-world-games|url-status=live}}</ref>