The World Games 2022 nearing its commencement in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — This July, Birmingham will host an estimated 3600 athletes from more than 100 countries for an 11-day sporting event unlike anything the Magic City has seen before. After a COVID delay, The World Games 2022 (TWG 2022) are set to commence in just a few months, with 34 sports spread across 210 ticketed events on 23 venues around the Birmingham metro area. From traditional crowd-pleasers like gymnastics to games that might be new to you—korfball, anyone?—these games have something for everyone.

“One of the events I’m most excited about is drone racing,” said Kathy Boswell, the Vice President of Community Engagement for The World Games 2022. Events in breakdancing, parkour, and tug of war also promise unique, exciting experiences. “Canopy piloting is another one I think will be interesting,” she said. Held at Barber Motorsports, canopy piloting competitors have to jump from a helicopter, steer their parachute to a specific spot, and complete a course before crossing the finish line.

The World Games (TWG) were established in 1981 and are held every four years, much like another famous athletic event. Every discipline represented must have an international recognized set of criteria and qualifying events, but TWG is designed to evolve quickly and accommodate new and exciting disciplines.

This event is funded through local partnerships rather than publicly subsidized, and the personality of each host city is meant to play an integral role in the flavor of the games. One of the criteria for selecting host cities is the availability of venues, as the guidelines state that no new structures should be built for TWG. Some events remain constant each year, but the available infrastructure influences the “invitational” events, which are chosen at the host city’s discretion. Every World Games is unique.

For Boswell, TWG 2022 is an opportunity for Birmingham to show the world its best side. “We are serving as a host, and people are coming to our home.” One of her responsibilities is to oversee the volunteer program that will make the complex logistics of TWG 2022 possible. “We have 3600 athletes coming here to fulfill a dream, and we owe them the best experience possible,” Boswell said. TWG 2022 is actively recruiting volunteers, who must complete an application and selection process intended to present a united, cohesive experience for athletes and guests.

The selection process and training for volunteers is a commitment, but Boswell noted that “anything this big, you can’t come at it the same way you would something else.” With dignitaries coming from all over the world, she is seeking representatives that are willing to serve, listen, show everyone respect, be solution-centered, and work as a team.

The World Games as a whole and the experience TWG 2022 volunteers receive are about a common principle: connecting people. As a diverse group of competitors gather this summer, residents in Birmingham and surrounding areas will have an unprecedented opportunity to see a little bit of the world right here at home.

If you are interested in being a volunteer at The World Games 2022, find out more at https://twg2022.com/volunteer-faq-process/.

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