A delegation from the International World Games Association (IWGA) has visited the host of the next edition of The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, for a Coordination Committee meeting. The meeting was especially important as major changes have taken place in the Birmingham Organising Committee (BOC).
“CEO Joachim Gossow, Treasurer Lukas Hinder and Board member Jan Fransoo together with myself and General Manager Chantal Boehi had the opportunity to discuss current matters and updates regarding the restructuring of the organising committee together with our colleagues in Birmingham,” IWGA President José Perurena tells. “The Mayor of Birmingham also attended the meeting, and we got a picture of an even stronger link between the organising committee and the city, which is always good news”.
During the meeting, on 24th January, a press conference was held at the Legion Field, which is the venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Together with the representatives from the IWGA and the BOC, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham City Council President William Parker and Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight spoke with the press and gave statements about the current situation.
President Perurena said: “We are very excited to be coming back to the country of the first World Games. From what I have seen of the organisation so far, I am confident that we can expect the 2021 edition to be organised at Olympic-level standard. I am looking forward to coming here to follow all the outstanding sports events with their world-class athletes in July 2021!”
“It has been a pleasure to follow some of the initiatives taken by the organising committee, such as the ‘Live Healthy, Play Global’ initiative and the World of Opportunities, which has the goal of engaging local, small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses”, CEO Joachim Gossow said and continued:
“Both of these initiatives are very strongly in line with our values. One of the core values of The World Games is sustainability, and therefore we require no new arenas to be built. The Games shall be organised using existing halls and playing fields. Furthermore, we want to leave a legacy to the city that will live on, long after The World Games have ended. Both of these initiatives are good examples of that.”
“Birmingham advertises with the slogan ‘The World is Coming’. And I can assure you that the world is looking forward to coming to Birmingham. I am certain that when everyone sets off for home after The Games, they will be feeling invigorated and overwhelmed by the action and the hospitality they experienced during The World Games 2021 in Birmingham”, Gossow concluded.
“We strongly believe that our sports, our atmosphere and our fan experience will be unlike anything that The Games or Birmingham will have ever seen before – it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime, can’t miss event,” said Nick Sellers, CEO of the Birmingham Organising Committee. “It’s our hope that over the next 600 days, you won’t be able to go anywhere in Birmingham without seeing, hearing or feeling The World Games 2021 energy and excitement in the air.”
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 15-25 July 2021. 3,600 athletes from over 30 sports and 100 countries will take part in the Games.
