By Ally Morrison
The World Games, coming to the area in July, is not just a Birmingham event, officials with the international sporting event told Hoover Service Club members during their January monthly meeting.
Games will take place at venues spanning from Birmingham to Oak Mountain.
The event is expected to bring in more than 500,000 spectators, many of whom will be eating at area restaurants and staying at area hotels. More than 1,500 credentialed members of the media are coming in from around the world. Combined, World Games visitors are projected to book in the neighborhood of 32,000 nights at area hotels.
The estimated economic impact of the games is $256 million.
“Where the games are held, between Birmingham and Oak Mountain, those places are the connection,” Kathy Boswell, World Games executive vice president of community and volunteer engagement, told club members gathered at Hoover Country Club on Jan. 13.
“Because everyone is connected, it goes to show that not just one place benefits from it, and because we all benefit, it helps us to understand the importance of staying connected,” she said. “It’s another reflection of the unity of what these games are all about. It’s a reflection of what will truly change the world.”
The World Games is an 11-day international multi-sport event that works hand-in-hand with the International Olympic Committee. This will be the World Games’ 40th anniversary and the largest international event in the southeast since the 1996 Olympics.
Birmingham initially was selected to host the 2021 World Games, but the event was delayed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will feature more than 30 sports – including archery, bowling, flag football and ju-jitsu – and occupy more than 25 venues.
More than 3,600 elite athletes from more than 100 countries will be involved in the games, including Olympic medal-winning competitors. More than 600 medals will be awarded, including 200 coveted gold medals, according to the World Games’ web- site.
All athletes will be housed courtesy of Birmingham colleges UAB and Birmingham-Southern in what Boswell referred to as “athlete villages.” These universities also will house an estimated 1,500 coaches and technicians, all while supplying three meals a day.
“We are very thankful,” Boswell said. “This is just another way that organizations and entities have stepped up to say, ‘We’re with you.’”
Hundreds Working on Event
The games will kick off with an opening ceremony, including live entertainment and special effects, at UAB’s Protective Stadium on July 7.
“Hundreds of local people have been working behind the scenes to make this happen.” Boswell said.
“Hundreds of people who believe have quietly been serving, giving and supporting and have been willing to help to see this event succeed.”
Honorary co-chairs of the games will include Charles Barkley, Randy Owen, Vonetta Flowers, Noah Galloway and Cat Reddick Whitehill, according to World Games Chief Financial Officer Josh Bryant. And more recently, Alan Hunter has been named a co-chair of the event.
Inclusivity will be highlighted throughout the event. For the first time, the international multi-sport event will include an adapted sport, wheelchair rugby. It also will highlight co-ed sports. Sports such as lacrosse will be played by separate men’s and women’s teams, but co-ed teams also will play to promote gender equality in the competition.
During the Hoover Service Club meeting, Boswell encouraged members to broaden their horizons and learn about sports that are different than what they are used to seeing.
“I don’t want us to just show Southern hospitality,” Boswell said. “I also want people to see that we are willing to learn something different. It’s one thing to be nice and kind to people but another thing to open up your mind and heart to be able to learn something new.”
