Para-Sports Could Be Part of The World Games

(ATR) The 2021 edition of The World Games could feature para-sports for the first time.

The International World Games Association says it has given preliminary consideration to integrating disabled athletes into the next World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in four years.

"We are well on our way to developing a concept which opens our multi-sports event for these athletes," IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow confirmed in a statement.

The IWGA says "serious discussions" on the matter will begin immediately after The World Games 2017 close in Wroclaw, Poland on July 30.

IWGA representatives led by president José Perurena and Gossow met with the 2017 Organizing Committee (WOC) last week in Wroclaw as part of a Coordinating Committee (CoComm) visit.

"WOC presented details of huge progress in many business areas since our last CoComm meeting in December 2016. The different working meetings with IWGA staff and TWG 2017 service partners that have taken place since then have been fruitful, and have supported WOC in their efforts", Gossow said in a statement.

The IWGA says that plans for the Opening Ceremony, which will take place on July 20 at the Wrocław Stadium, were impressive. The delegation said they have "some small misgivings" with the concept for the Closing Ceremony, which is planned for Wroclaw’s Wolności Square. They were given assurances by the WOC that their concerns would be addressed.

The final two venues should be ready in two weeks. The design of the medals is expected to be completed shortly and will then be made public.

The 10th edition of the World Games will feature 3,251 athletes representing 111 countries in 31 sports.

Written by Gerard Farek

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