With just over a year to go before the event, preparations for the 2023 World Beach Games in Bali (August 5-12) are picking up speed. A delegation from the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) visited Indonesia from July 7 to 12 for a venue inspection visit, conducted with the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia (pictured above). The visit was led by Timothy Fok, ANOC Executive Council member and chairman of the Events Commission, and Gunilla Lindberg, ANOC Secretary General. On the agenda was an assessment of potential venues, including the areas of Kuta, Nusa Dua, Garuda Wisnu Kencana and Sanur, and an inspection of accommodation options, medical facilities, the venue for the opening ceremony and major transport routes. Another topic of discussion, which has become inevitable in the Olympic movement, is sustainability. The plan for the 2023 World Beach Games includes a reduction in carbon emissions, but also initiatives for reef restoration and plastic collection. Procedures for preparing for the Games will soon be sent to national Olympic counties. A meeting of technical delegates from international federations is scheduled for late September 2022, when the venues will be approved. The second edition of the World Beach Games is scheduled to bring together 10 official sports – aquathlon, beach handball, beach soccer, beach tennis, 4×4 beach volleyball, beach water polo, beach wrestling, karate, kitesurfing and open water swimming (5 km) – in Bali next year, plus two additional sports to be chosen by the Indonesian organizers.
