The World Games 2017 awarded to Polish city Wroclaw

The 10th World Games, due to take place at the end of July 2017, has founds its host in the shape of Wroclaw, Poland. With around 650,000 residents, Wroclaw is the capital of Lower Silesian Voivodeship and is expected to draw large crowds over the eleven-day period. Marcin Przychodny, the President of the Organising Committee is responsible for the bid alongside Adam Roczek who is the Vice President.

Jose Perurena Lopez, President of IWGA, has said “We are happy to present our sports in Wroclaw in the summer of 2017, and we are sure that we will be offered optimal conditions for our sportsmen and women there.” With a history of hosting big sports events, Wroclaw seems to be ready to handle the demand for such an event. Furthermore, the venues already in place will help to draw in crowds from around the world.

Rafal Dutkiewicz, Mayor of Wroclaw, said “The World Games will be the biggest sporting event in Polish history, after the Euro 2012. We plan to celebrate the jubilee 10th edition of The World Games in style.” Former sumo wrestler, Robert Paczkow, also had a helping hand in the bid and has said that even though he was once a World and European Champion, he still treasures his bronze medal won at the World Games in Germany. 

This is the first time that the competition will be held in Europe since Duisburg over a decade ago in 2005. As the contest is only held every four years, there has only been two hosts since 2005; Taiwan in 2009 and Columbia in 2013 (the first held in South America). The World Games always follows the Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro later this year, and sees participants compete in 25 events. Sumo, Squash, and Karate, are all included as well as many other admired sports. Nearly 5,000 athletes take part in the Games that sees officials from over 100 countries congregate.