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Olympics
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | World Games a chance for lesser-known sports to shine

Featuring events not included in the Olympics, the games are an opportunity to attract new fans and increase international engagement

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Actors perform before the women’s Group A preliminary floorball round between Thailand and Sweden at the World Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province on August 6. Photo: Xinhua
SCMP Editorial
The Olympics are, for many athletes, the pinnacle of their careers. Winning a gold medal is the height of success. But the achievement is inaccessible to elite competitors in sports not selected for the showpiece event. That is why the World Games, featuring non-Olympic disciplines, are important and deserving of support. The 12th World Games have opened in Chengdu with a ceremony featuring a spectacular fireworks display, marking the first time they have been held in mainland China. The games include more than 250 medal events in 34 sports. Almost 120 countries and regions will compete.

Hong Kong is sending a delegation of 22 athletes who qualified in sports including billiards, wushu, water skiing, karate, squash, orienteering and air sports involving the use of drones.

Snooker player Cheung Ka-wai won the city’s first World Games gold medal in 2022, with four bronze medals also bagged by the team. There is hope for improvement on that haul this time, benefiting from what has been described as “semi-home advantage”.

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Hong Kong hosted the inaugural World Games Series last year, which involved qualifying competitions for wushu, cheerleading and roller sports. The event at the new Go Park Sai Sha complex provided the city with much-needed experience in hosting multi-sport events ahead of this November’s National Games.

Just like the Olympics, the World Games are more than just a sporting event. The aim is to forge international engagement and bring communities together. There will be cultural and educational activities as well as sports. Chengdu is determined to uphold the values of the games, which include sustainability. There are 27 venues, but 18 of them already existed and have been adapted. The remainder are temporary venues in parks.

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The event will provide a valuable opportunity to showcase lesser-known sports, including lifesaving and petanque, and for the leading exponents of all the disciplines to enjoy time in the limelight. It is a chance for various sports to attract new participants and fans.

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