Guest Star Carlos Vives gave The World Games a thrilling Finale
CALI ( 04.08.2013) In front of 25.000 spectators at a sold out Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali, The World Games 2013 came to an end on Sunday night, with a thrilling finale. Colombian top-star Carlos Vives ensured with his appearance, a great closing. Ron Froehlich, president of the International World Games Association, concluded the 9th edition of the multisport event, that started on July 25th, with the two words: “Gracias Cali!” From the 3rd until August 13th, the 10th edition of the World Games will take place in Wroclaw (Poland). Mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz received the IWGA- flag from Ron Froehlich’s hands.
On his speech, the IWGA President thanked the more than 3000 athletes and 1500 officials on their tremendous sport achievement in 26 official and five invitational sports. In addition, Ron Froehlich underlined the excellent job of the 4500 volunteers. Just as the athletes, they took center stage at the closing ceremony. IWGA president particularly highlighted the enthusiasm of the spectators in Colombia. “Cali citizens won their own gold medal for their hospitality and their fairness towards our athletes from 101 nations” said Ron Froehlich.
With more than 500.000 visitors during the ten days of competition, the World Games in Cali clearly surpassed the previous best attending record obtained in Kaohsiung (Chinese Taipei). For four years, about 286.000 tickets have been sold. Outstanding highlight moments included the dance sport contest with 16.000 spectators each of both days of competition at a bullfighting arena.
At the last day of the Gymnastic competition, 18.000 spectators attended the coliseum. The rugby 7 final match between South Africa and Argentina congregated more than 20.000 spectators at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium.
More than 900 journalists from 35 countries reported from the competitions in 194 medal events. Worldwide, television images of The World Games 2013 in Cali were seen in 120 countries. In total, 25 TV stations reported, partly live, the strive for the gold medals at the 9th edition in Cali Colombia, a city with 2,3 millions inhabitants. The host broadcast station, Señal Colombia, produced more than 100 hours of footage.
The most successful athletes of The World Games were Marcel Hassemeier from Germany (four gold medals and one silver medal in Lifesaving) and Magalie Rousseau(France), winning four gold medals in Lifesaving. The Colombian couple, Adriana Ávila (15) and Jefferson Benjumea (17), winners of the gold medal in salsa, stood out as the public’s favorites. Ron Froehlich and Rodrigo Otoya, president of the organizing committee in Cali, awarded Colombian speed skater Rommy Muñoz and captain of the South African rugby team, Kyle Brawn as the athletes of the last day of competitions.
Rugby said farewell to The World Games in Cali, since up to 2016 it will be part of the Olympic program. Rommy Muñoz won four medals in total (two sliver and two bronze medals) in speed skating. The competition was for her a home game; the 21 year old comes from Cali.
After the official part, The World Games 2013 in Cali came to an end with a salsa fest and with the appearance of Grammy-winner Carlos Vives.
