Lausanne, Switzerland 22 May 2025 — The International World Games Association (IWGA) is honoured to acknowledge the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) continued support of The World Games 2025, as expressed in an official letter by IOC President Thomas Bach, sent to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) on Friday 16 May.
In the letter, President Bach celebrates the growing success of The World Games and encourages the global Olympic community to support the 12th edition, to be held in Chengdu, China, from 7-17 August 2025.
“With a record number of participating countries and territories expected this summer in Chengdu, an exciting competition programme featuring 34 sports and 60 disciplines, and strong collaboration with the Chinese Olympic Committee, I am confident that the 12th edition of The World Games, Chengdu 2025, will be a success,” wrote President Bach.
He further emphasised the unifying role of sport in today’s world:
“Today, we need the power of sport to bring us hope and optimism, but also to bring us together. Therefore, I encourage the National Olympic Committees to support this event… as sport continues to show us that we can only go faster, aim higher and become stronger if we stand together.”
The IWGA is immensely grateful for the IOC’s enduring partnership and recognition of The World Games as a premier multi-sport event that complements the Olympic Movement.
José Perurena, President of the IWGA, stated:
“The words of President Bach reaffirm what we, at the IWGA, have long known: The World Games are a vital part of the international sporting ecosystem. His encouragement to the NOCs is a powerful endorsement, and we are deeply thankful for the IOC’s continued trust and cooperation.”
Strong momentum among NOCs- NSOs
The IWGA currently has 19 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with NOCs or NSOs across the globe. Of those, 13 NOCs or NSOs — including Austria, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Israel, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, France, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, and Chinese Taipei— have already registered their delegations for Chengdu 2025.
An additional five NOCs-NSOs — Hong Kong, Italy, Portugal, Korea, and Ukraine — are in the process of doing so.
Beyond those with formal agreements, 13 more NOCs — Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Philippines, Slovenia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan — are also actively registering their delegations for Chengdu 2025, reflecting the growing global commitment to The World Games. A pending MoU with Germany’s DOSB is expected to be signed by the end of June.
As preparations for Chengdu 2025 reach their final phase, the IWGA looks forward to welcoming athletes, officials and spectators from more than 110 countries to celebrate sport and friendship on a global stage.