Wrocław to host World Games 2017

Nobody wanted to reveal the distribution of the votes of the members of the executive committee, but just before the announcement of the decision, Ron Froehlich, President of the World Games Association, said: It was not easy for us to reach a decision, particularly taking into account the global financial and economic circumstances, as well as the fact that it is difficult to predict what will happen between today and 2017. As it later turned out, he addressed the representatives of Budapest in the following words – This decision is by no means against your candidacy. We are confident that you would also be capable of organising a wonderful tournament. However, taking into account all significant factors, the executive committee found the competing offer to be somewhat stronger.

 

Yesterday, before the official decision was announced, Cape Town (South Africa) had withdrawn its bid because of the lack of government guarantees. The representatives of the capital of Lower Silesia led by the Mayor of Wrocław Rafał Dutkiewicz showed the members of the committee a special, English language multimedia presentation that was devoted to Wrocław. They also spent an hour answering very detailed questions. – The Committee asked, among other things, about details concerning the planned television broadcasts and the promotion of World Games in the city – said Michał Janicki, the plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Wrocław.

 

World Games is an event that takes place one year after the Summer Olympics. Its aim is to promote non-Olympic sport disciplines and introduce them into the Olympic programme. Participants compete for medals in 37 disciplines, such as karate, parachute jumping, archery, gymnastics, sumo, climbing, squash, bowling, billiards and dance sports. The tournament attracts around 300 thousand fans, while its cost is estimated to amount to 25-40 million USD. However, only part of this sum is covered from the budget of the host city. World Games 2013 will be held in Cali, Columbia, and they will come to Wrocław four years later. Additional disciplines will include lacrosse and kick-boxing. Another three, which are traditionally selected by the host city, will be agreed o together with the city’s residents.

 

Text: Editorial team