The World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung (TPE)
July 16 – 26, 2009

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 18, 2009: One month prior to the opening of the 8th World Games, the stage is set for fantastic competitions and the Kaohsiung Organizing Committee (KOC) is ready to welcome delegations and spectators from all over the world.

Held under the auspices of the International World Games Association (IWGA) and after stopovers in Santa Clara (USA) (1981), London (GBR) (1985), Karlsruhe (GER) (1989), The Hague (NED) (1993), Lahti (FIN) (1997), Akita (JPN) (2001) and Duisburg (GER) (2005) the eighth edition of the World Games is proudly hosted by the City of Kaohsiung.

It will be the first time for Chinese Taipei to stage an international sports event of this size. An estimated total of 4,500 athletes from 31 different sports are expected to participate in these Games, making this the world’s second largest multi-sports event after the Olympic Games. Committed to the event since June 14, 2004 when the IWGA officially named Kaohsiung City host of the World Games 2009, the KOC is confident that these World Games will be the best ever.

The World Games 2009 showcased at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne

The KOC and the IWGA have been invited by the International Olympic Committee to showcase The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (SUI) from June 11 through July 26.

“The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung: Top Sports – High Spirits” is the exhibition’s theme and title. KOC and IWGA aim to jointly transmit the core values of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung through this temporary exhibition at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

“Top Sports – High Spirits” is also the overriding theme of a special event that took place at the Olympic Museum today. In his speech IWGA President Ron Froehlich (USA) thanked the IOC for all the support offered to the World Games. He expressed his particular delight with the fantastic opportunity the exhibition and this special day at the Olympic Museum provide for the World Games in an effort to familiarise the public with the upcoming event. KOC Managing Director Ms Shyh-Fang Liu (TPE), who was also present at the Olympic Museum today, took a similar stance and looks forward to welcoming the athletes, officials and spectators next month in Kaohsiung.

Five athletes who will compete in Kaohsiung conducted a series of demonstrations and lectures on the museum terrace in the morning and afternoon of what is certainly a milestone day for The World Games 2009. June 18! One month to go to the Opening Ceremony at the Main Stadium in Kaohsiung!