2022 World Games

The 2022 World Games were an international multi-sport event held from July 7 to 17, 2022, in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. They were the 11th World Games, a multi-sport event featuring disciplines of Olympic sports and other competitions that are not currently contested at the Olympic Games; the Games featured 3,600 athletes competing in 206 medal events over 30 sports.

The World Games 2022
Host cityBirmingham, Alabama, United States
Nations99
Athletes3,457
Events223
OpeningJuly 7, 2022
ClosingJuly 17, 2022
Opened byRandall Woodfin
Mayor of Birmingham
Main venueProtective Stadium
Websitetwg2022.com

They were originally scheduled to be held in 2021, but were postponed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were the second edition of the World Games to be hosted by the United States since their inaugural edition in 1981.

Bidding process

The cities that bid for the 2022 Games were:

Barcelona and Santiago also considered bids. Cities paid a $125,000 application fee, and submitted information about "venues, infrastructure, volunteers, budget, transportation[,] and other elements".[1]

Birmingham's bid, publicly announced in June 2014, was presented by Edgar Welden, Scotty Myers, and David Benck. It was the only American city authorized to make a bid for these games. Myers, the executive director of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, said the bid was "a dream, but it's not a pipe dream. It's attainable."[1] At the time, organizers projected a budget of $75 million, and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau anticipated a windfall of between $224.4 million and $288.6 million in out-of-town dollars.[1]

On January 22, 2015, at its meeting in Lausanne, the International World Games Association (IWGA) elected Birmingham as host of the 2021 World Games.[2][3]

On April 4, 2020, the Games were postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics.[4]

Venues

Venues for The World Games 2022 include:[5][6][7][8][9]

  • Bill Harris Arena: artistic skating, inline hockey
  • Natatorium: canoe polo, finswimming, lifesaving
  • Indoor Track: wheelchair rugby
  • Concert Hall: powerlifting
  • East Exhibition Hall: floorball, korfball
  • Legacy Arena: dancesport (Latin, rock n roll, standard), gymnastics (acrobatic, aerobic, rhythmic, trampoline and tumbling)
  • North Exhibition Hall: bowling
  • Sheraton Hotel Ballroom: billiards sports
  • Bill Battle Coliseum: ju-jitsu, karate, wushu
  • BSC Panther Soccer Field: fistball
  • campus: orienteering (sprint)
  • Double Oak Lake: canoe marathon, water skiing and wakeboard
  • nature: orienteering (middle distance)
  • PNC Field: lacrosse
  • University Recreation Center: racquetball, squash
  • track and field complex: tug of war

The Games

Sports

The 2022 World Games programme featured 30 official sports including 54 disciplines encompassing 206 events.[10] This was the first time that drone racing, canoe marathon, breaking, women's fistball, kickboxing, and parkour were included in the World Games as official sports. Softball and racquetball returned to the official World Games programme. Invitational sports comprising 17 events included duathlon,[11] flag football,[12] wheelchair rugby,[13] wushu (taolu)[14] and men's lacrosse.[15] Both men's and women's field lacrosse were played in a six-a-side format.[16] The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of medal events contested in each sports discipline.

Notes
AD: Artistic and Dance sports
B: Ball sports
I: Invitational sports, selected by the host city
M: Martial arts
P: Precision sports
S: Strength sports
T: Trend sports

Participating nations

On February 19, 2021, the International Olympic Committee announced that certain Russian athletes would be allowed to compete under the designation "ROC" (for Russian Olympic Committee) at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Winter Games. This penalty also applies through end of 2022 and would have been applied to events affiliated with the International Olympic Committee, such as The World Games.

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, athletes from Russia along with Belarus were barred from the 2022 World Games, per the IOC's recommendations.[17] Russia originally qualified 62 athletes while Belarus was set to send 11 athletes.[18] Part of the ticket revenue was donated to Ukraine for rebuilding sports venues after the Russian invasion of the country.[19][20]

Athletes from 110 National Olympic Committees were scheduled to participate.[21] In total, athletes from 99 delegations competed at the 2022 World Games. The only representative team in the 2022 World Games not represented by a National Olympic Committee were the Haudenosaunee teams competing in lacrosse.[22]

Participating Nations

Costs

The games cost $65.1 million to produce. It also provided a economic boost of about $165 million. However, after only generating $51 million in revenue from sponsorships and tickets, and a $5 million dollar bailout from the city of Birmingham, it resulted in a current loss of $10 million. In August 2022, Games CEO Nick Sellers said in a statement: “We have every intention to raise the associated funds and pay our vendors.” [23][24]

Calendar

Source[25]

OCOpening ceremony ●Event competitions 1Gold medal events CCClosing ceremony
July 7
Thu		 8
Fri		 9
Sat		 10
Sun		 11
Mon		 12
Tue		 13
Wed		 14
Thu		 15
Fri		 16
Sat		 17
Sun		 Events
CeremoniesOCCC—
Acrobatic gymnastics 2 2 1 5
Aerobic gymnastics 2 2 4
Air sports ● 1 ● 1 2
Archery ● 3 ● ● 2 ● ● 2 7
Artistic roller skating ● 3 3
Beach handball ● ● ● ● 2 2
Billiards sports ● ● ● 2 2 4
Boules sports 2 2 4
Bowling ● ● ● 4 4
Canoe marathon 2 2 4
Canoe polo ● ● ● 2 2
Dancesport 1 2 2 5
Finswimming 8 8 16
Fistball ● ● ● ● 2 2
Floorball ● ● ● ● 1 1
Flying disc ● ● ● ● 1 1
Inline hockey ● ● ● ● 1 1
Ju-jitsu 9 9 18
Karate 6 6 12
Kickboxing (K-1) ● 6 6
Korfball ● ● ● ● 1 1
Lacrosse (women) ● ● ● ● 1 1
Lifesaving 8 8 16
Muay Thai ● ● 12 12
Orienteering 2 2 1 5
Parkour gymnastics 2 2 4
Powerlifting 3 3 2 8
Racquetball ● ● ● 2 2
Rhythmic gymnastics 2 2 4
Road speed skating 4 4 8
Softball ● ● ● ● 1 1
Sport climbing 2 2 2 6
Squash ● ● ● ● 2 2
Sumo 6 2 8
Track speed skating 6 4 10
Trampoline gymnastics 1 1 2 4
Tug of war 1 1 1 3
Water skiing ● 4 4 8
Daily medal events 2432212013911252526206
Cumulative total 24567797110119130155180206
Duathlon1 2 1 3
Flag football1 ● ● ● ● 2 2
Lacrosse (men)1 ● ● ● ● 1 1
Wheelchair rugby1 ● ● ● 1 1
Wushu (taolu)1 5 5 10
Daily medal events 00065202217
Cumulative total 00061113131517
July 7
Thu		 8
Fri		 9
Sat		 10
Sun		 11
Mon		 12
Tue		 13
Wed		 14
Thu		 15
Fri		 16
Sat		 17
Sun		 Events
Note

1 Invitational sports selected by the host organizing committee

Medal table
Further information: List of 2022 World Games medal winners

  *   Host nation (United States)

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Germany2471647
2 United States*16181044
3 Ukraine16121745
4 Italy13241249
5 France11151642
6 Hungary117927
7 Belgium114520
8 Japan10111233
9 Colombia910625
10 China94114
11 Israel73414
12 Spain66719
13 Great Britain63413
14 Canada55515
15 Switzerland54312
16 Mexico52512
17 Denmark43310
18 Thailand4329
19 Sweden36514
20 Poland35715
21 Netherlands33410
22 Egypt3216
23 Australia3126
24 Croatia2507
25 Indonesia2305
26 Norway2215
 Serbia2215
28 Brazil2158
 United Arab Emirates2158
30 Austria2114
31 Cambodia2002
 Vietnam2002
33 Chinese Taipei16613
34 Greece1348
 South Korea1348
36 Portugal1315
37 Kazakhstan1214
38 Slovenia1135
39 Slovakia1124
40 Bulgaria1113
 New Zealand1113
42 Brunei1102
43 Hong Kong1045
44 Ecuador1034
45 Azerbaijan1012
 Lithuania1012
47 Algeria1001
 Costa Rica1001
 Moldova1001
 Philippines1001
 South Africa1001
52 Morocco0404
53 Czech Republic0336
54 Virgin Islands0314
55 Chile0213
 Venezuela0213
57 Argentina0123
 Romania0123
 Singapore0123
60 Finland0112
 Kyrgyzstan0112
 Uzbekistan0112
63 Bahrain0101
 Bosnia and Herzegovina0101
 Guatemala0101
 Mongolia0101
 Peru0101
 Qatar0101
69 Malaysia0022
70 Bolivia0011
 India0011
 Panama0011
 Tunisia0011
Totals (73 entries)224221222667

In the Women's 4 × 50 m obstacle relay of the lifesaving competition, two gold medals were awarded and thus no silver medal was awarded.[26] In the Women's 500 m sprint of the track speed skating competition, only the one gold medal was awarded as the remaining competitors in the final were disqualified.[27]

Medal design

The event's medal design was unveiled in February 2022.[28]

Community Engagement

The World Games 2022 Experience Delivered by Shipt

In March 2019, The World Games 2022 unveiled a mobile experience, designed to generate excitement for the event and educate the local community on the sports of The 2022 Games.[29] The traveling Mercedes Sprinter Van includes a rock climbing wall, a sumo wrestling activity, photo opportunities and an interactive trivia game where guests can win prizes. The van made its official debut at the 15th Annual MortgageBanc Chili Cook-Off on March 2, 2019. It continues to tour throughout 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

World of Opportunity

In June 2019, The World Games 2022 announced the kickoff of their supplier diversity program, World of Opportunity.[30] The program, which was unveiled to an audience of 400 at the Birmingham CrossPlex, allows certified, diverse businesses to compete for contracts to provide goods and services for The World Games 2022. The categories accepted include (but are not limited to) transportation services, event production, security, promotional items, merchandise, sports equipment, food service, technology, printing, medical supplies, event equipment, waste removal and construction services.

Broadcasting

In July 2021, it was announced that CBS Sports Network would broadcast one-hour highlights shows on each of the ten days of competition, and two additional one-hour specials will be shown on other CBS channels and on Paramount+.[31] Olympic Channel also carried coverage.

References
  1. Tomberlin, Michael (June 8, 2014). "Birmingham making bid to host 2021 World Games with projected $256.5 million economic impact". al. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  2. "World Games win an affirmation: It's time to believe in Birmingham again". www.al.com. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  3. "Birmingham chosen to host 2021 World Games". WBMA-LD. Associated Press. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  4. "World Games 2021 moved to retain broadcasters, official scorers: CEO". Reuters. April 4, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  5. "The World Games 2021 Birmingham, USA Bulletin #2". Birmingham Organizing Committee. September 4, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  6. "Three competition venues announced for The World Games 2022". TWG 2022 Birmingham. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  7. "Three more competition venues announced for The World Games 2022". TWG 2022 Birmingham. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  8. "Three Outdoor Competition Venues Announced for The World Games 2022". TWG 2022 Birmingham. April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  9. "Two Venue Changes Bring The World Games 2022 Drone Racing and Speed Skating to the 'Very Heart of the City'". February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  10. "Detailed sports programme published". www.theworldgames.org. Retrieved July 7, 2020.Note: This document states 207 events, which, however, includes men's lacrosse, an invitational event.
  11. "Meet Duathlon – the little sibling of Triathlon". theworldgames.org. International World Games Association. November 27, 2020. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2021. At The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 40 female and 40 male Duathlon athletes will compete in individual competitions as well as in Mixed Relay.
  12. "The World Games 2022 Birmingham Partners with NFL, Adds Flag Football". twg2022.com. July 15, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  13. "Introduction to Wheelchair Rugby". iwrf.com. International Wheelchair Rugby Federation. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021. Wheelchair Rugby is a mixed team sport for male and female quadriplegic athletes. ... Men and women compete on the same teams and in the same competitions.
  14. "Wushu Included as an Invitational Sport in The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA". iwuf.org. International Wushu Federation. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  15. "Five Invitational Sports in The World Games 2022". TWG 2022 Birmingham. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  16. "Applications open for GB Lacrosse Head Coach positions". England Lacrosse. October 7, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2020. The World Games will be played using the six-a-side proposed Olympic rules formulated in 2018, and have been trialed at both the Men's Winter Classic and Women's Super League competitions.
  17. Brennan, Eliott (July 17, 2022). "IWGA President Perurena hails "Comeback Games" in Birmingham 2022 Closing Ceremony". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  18. "Russia, Belarus banned from The World Games 2022 in Birmingham". WVTM 13 Digital. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  19. Lloyd, Owen (April 5, 2022). "Share of World Games ticket revenue set to be donated to Ukraine". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  20. Brennan, Eliott (July 18, 2022). "World Games 2022 donates $54,000 to support Ukrainian athletes and sport". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  21. "Qualifications for TWG 2022, Birmingham (USA)". International World Games Association. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  22. "The World Games 2022 Puts Haudenosaunee Nationals, The Inventor Of Lacrosse, On International Stage". The World Games 2022. March 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  23. "World Games $14 million shortfall; 'We have every intention...to pay our vendors,' says CEO". www.al.com. August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  24. "Birmingham Council Approves $5 Million for World Games Debt". www.al.com. August 23, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  25. "Schedule of Events". The World Games 2022. TWG 2022 Birmingham. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  26. "Results. Event Number 3" (PDF). swog2022.sportresult.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  27. "Official Final Results" (PDF). swog2022.sportresult.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  28. Shefferd, Neil (February 23, 2022). "Medals for Birmingham 2022 World Games unveiled". Inside the Games. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  29. "The World Games 2021 Experience". The World Games 2021 | Birmingham, USA. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  30. "World of Opportunity". The World Games 2021 | Birmingham, USA. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  31. Iveson, Ali (July 26, 2021). "Birmingham 2022 World Games agrees US broadcast deal with CBS Sports Network". Inside the Games. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
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