IWGA praises Chengdu for setting new standard in hosting World Games

International World Games Association (IWGA) President Jose Perurena Lopez takes part in an interview in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Chengdu has set a new benchmark for The World Games, hosting the largest and most inclusive edition in history with over 6,600 participants, 34 sports and groundbreaking innovations in sustainability and global broadcasting.

CHENGDU, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chengdu has "set a new standard in hosting," said Jose Perurena, president of the International World Games Association (IWGA), as the southwestern Chinese city prepares to open the 12th edition of The World Games on Thursday.

With 6,679 athletes and officials from over 110 countries and regions, the event marks the largest and most inclusive World Games in history.

"We feel great excitement," Perurena said during a pre-Games press conference. "For the next two weeks, this beautiful city will host nearly 4,000 athletes, competing across 34 unique and spectacular sports."

Perurena highlighted Chengdu's commitment to sustainability, noting that the host city, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, had utilized "27 existing renovated venues, both indoor and outdoor," setting a new benchmark for future editions.

The Games, being held for the first time on the Chinese mainland, will also feature several innovations in presentation and broadcasting.

"For the first time in our history, we've launched a dedicated streaming platform, World Games Live, offering live and on-demand coverage of the events," Perurena noted. "This brings The World Games to more people and more places than ever before."

IWGA Vice President Tom Dielen echoed Perurena's praise for the host city, calling the 12th edition "an exciting expansion into new territory."

People take photos of a countdown clock in Tianfu Square as the opening ceremony of the World Games 2025 begin in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Aug. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

"China has set incredibly high standards in organizing global multi-sport events," Dielen said. "The Olympic-level infrastructure, the first-ever torch relay for The World Games, and the reach of World Games Live are all strong signals of the organizing committee's commitment to elevate the event's global profile."

According to the Chengdu Organizing Committee, 27 competition venues have been fully prepared. Global ticketing has opened, and more than 8,600 volunteers are now on duty across the city. The athletes' village opened on August 3, with two zones providing full services to all delegations.

Beyond the competition, cultural elements will also feature prominently. The opening ceremony, to be held Thursday evening, will showcase Sichuan Province's iconic elements such as Shu embroidery and giant pandas, blended with light shows and a lakeside grass viewing area to highlight Chengdu's "city park" concept.

In addition to officials, athletes attending the press conference also expressed their excitement about the event and its setting.

"I can't wait to restart competitions," said Chiara Rebagliati, an Italian archer and reigning World Games gold medalist. "This kind of multi-sport event allows us to enrich our experience and meet athletes from many different sports. I really want to enjoy this place and the city."

(Photo taken on Aug. 7, 2025 shows the night view of the twin towers and Jiaozi Ring pedestrian bridge in Chengdu Financial City area on the day of the opening ceremony of the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Rebagliati praised the venue arrangements and atmosphere in Chengdu, saying she felt "like at home" in the athletes' village.

Chinese b-girl Liu Qingyi, a gold medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and bronze winner at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said she was proud to represent her country on home soil.

"This is an amazing platform for breaking," Liu said. "My goal is to perform at my best and show the power and creativity of Chinese breakdancers. I hope to inspire more young people to love this sport."

Running from August 7 to 17, the Chengdu World Games will feature 34 sports, including emerging Olympic disciplines such as breaking, sport climbing, and flag football.