World Games 2025 Concludes in Chengdu, Marking a Historic Debut on Chinese Mainland

CHENGDU, China — The 2025 World Games, the 12th edition of this international multi-sport event, are set to conclude on August 17 in Chengdu, marking the first time the Games have been hosted on the Chinese mainland. The event has showcased 34 sports, 60 disciplines, and 256 events, primarily focusing on non-Olympic sports.

A record 6,679 athletes and officials from 118 countries and regions participated, with approximately 4,000 athletes competing. China sent its largest-ever delegation, comprising 489 members, including 321 athletes. For the first time, Chinese para-athletes participated, competing in 152 events across 28 sports, and making their debut in 12 disciplines, including cheerleading, flying disc, and powerboating.

The opening ceremony on August 7 featured a vibrant display of fireworks, officially inaugurating the Games. A torch relay was conducted on July 26 at the Sanxingdui Museum, a significant cultural site in Sichuan Province, involving 120 torchbearers.

The Games were marked by the tragic death of Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis, who collapsed during a middle-distance event on August 8 and passed away on August 12. Debertolis was recognized as an elite orienteering athlete and was also pursuing a doctoral degree in civil engineering at Stockholm University. The international sports community has expressed shock and condolences over his passing.

The weather in Chengdu during the Games has been notably hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) during some events. These conditions have posed additional challenges for the athletes competing in outdoor disciplines.

Hosting the World Games has significant social and cultural implications for China and the city of Chengdu. It provides an opportunity to showcase the country's commitment to promoting a diverse range of sports, including those not traditionally featured in the Olympic Games. The inclusion of para-athletes highlights a growing emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility in sports. Additionally, the event fosters international cultural exchange and strengthens diplomatic ties through sportsmanship and shared experiences.

The World Games are an international multi-sport event organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA) under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They are held every four years and feature sports and disciplines not included in the Olympic Games. The 2025 edition in Chengdu marks the return to the traditional four-year cycle after the 2021 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, were delayed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is a major city in southwestern China known for its rich cultural heritage, including the famous Sichuan cuisine and the Giant Panda Research Base. Hosting the World Games aligns with the city's efforts to position itself as a global sports and cultural hub.

As the Games conclude on August 17, they leave a legacy of cultural exchange, athletic excellence, and the promotion of sports not traditionally featured in the Olympic Games.