(ATR) The Olympic Channel will broadcast the 2017 World Games competition live, a first for many of its federations involved.
Wroclaw, Poland opens the 2017 World Games today, with a program of 31 sports over 10 days. Joachim Gossow, International World Games Association chief executive, told Around the Rings that the Olympic Channel coverage is a "huge step forward" for its federations.
"We expect to take the Games to the next level, nothing less than the best World Games ever," Gossow said. "We have never before been able to announce that we have worldwide coverage of The World Games."
Gossow says that he expects the 2017 Games to allow for Poland to "showcase to the world of sport that they are great hosts." A successful Games, Gossow adds, would build upon a 2013 edition in Cali, Colombia that saw "spectators and the local citizens…enthusiasm [inspiring] our athletes."
IOC President Thomas Bach is in Wroclaw to attend the opening ceremony for the Games. He is expected to stay through July 21 to watch a full day of competition. IWGA President Jose Perurena told ATR that the visit is a landmark one, to help "raise awareness" for the World Games.
"There will be a delegation from the IOC which will attend the event as observers," Perurena said. "They will get some experience and a better feeling for what we are talking about in comparing the World Games with the Olympics."
The IWGA is a recognized organization within the IOC. All disciplines for sports on the Games program are not featured in the Olympic program. The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 to encourage greater cooperation. Sports featured on the program in previous editions have eventually been featured in the Olympic Games, such as rugby sevens, sport climbing, and karate.
Perurena says a quote from IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell rings true for the level of cooperation seen between the IWGA and the IOC.
"I think The World Games plays a really important role in being a stepping stone not only towards the Olympic program, but also to the wider world of sport in multi-sport events," McConnell said. "As we look for getting more flexibility into the program of the Olympic Games in the future, certainly The World Games is one of the areas we are looking to observe."
Written by Aaron Bauer
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