Two promising first editions, in Beijing in 2010 and in Saint Petersburg three years later. Then nothing for a decade. Initiated and headed by SportAccord, the World Combat Sports Games seemed buried forever. However, they are coming back to life this October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (October 20 to 30).
Unsurprisingly, the Saudis thought big. Eleven days of competition, preceded by a sumptuous opening ceremony. Sixteen sports, including five Olympic (boxing, fencing, judo, wrestling and taekwondo). The inclusion for the first time of disabled sports events. A unique site, the King Saud University Arena and Sports Hall (6.500 seats), divided for the occasion into four competition fields.
A new start ? At what pace? With what perspectives? The Italian Ivo Ferriani, president of SportAccord, member of the IOC Executive Board, answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux : After two successive editions then a ten-year break, is this a new start for the World Combat Sports Games?
Ivo Ferriani : After the pandemic, people want events. We have to bring it to them. But we also need to think about the formats of these events. The public wants entertaining things. I like to use the expression “festivalization” of sporting events. Fun, spectacle, music… We have to bring all that to the spectators. The World Combat Sports Games are part of this approach.
Will they once again become a regular event on the international calendar?
The right formula would be to organize them every two years. This is what I propose. We need to get back into rhythm, particularly to attract partners. Sponsors come when there is a market. The market exists. But we need to analyze and reevaluate the event to make it more attractive for the athletes, so that the best ones participate, and for the public. Competitions must distribute ranking or qualification points, for the world championships for example.
How can we convince international federations to include the event in the Olympic qualification process?
We need to sit around the table and talk. But the discussion does not only concern the international federations, it also involves the higher level, the IOC. To attract the best athletes, we must bring more value to the event. Athletes must tell themselves that by coming, they will be able to earn points for their ranking.
Have you already received applications for the 2025 edition?
We have received several expressions of interest, for 2025 but also for 2027. Stephan Fox (the vice-president of SportAccord, in charge of the World Combat Games) is talking with potential hosts. But I don't want to name them until things are more concrete.
In Riyadh, the competitions are brought together in a single site. Is this the right formula?
Yes. Durability. The expression is often used very broadly. For these World Combat Sports Games, it takes a very concrete turn. A single site, with four competition areas. People can see one event, then move on to another two hours later, and then switch to a third. The look of the Games remains the same. The optimization is complete, including for the organizing committee, with the entire team in the same place: a single competition manager, a single media manager... Sustainability in the most practical sense of the term.
An edition every two years, therefore, always at the same time?
An edition every two years is only a proposition. But if the market believes that these World Combat Sports Games can be held every year, they will take place every year. We could also consider, in years without World Games, organizing them at continental level. Regarding the time of year, you have to adapt to the calendars, try to find a block of 10 days or two weeks where everyone can get together. But I go further: the World Combat Sports Games can also become a meeting where, every two years, the presidents of international federations and sports directors come together. A meeting place for a combat sports community where everyone moves together.
What do you think of the sports program?
At the risk of provoking, I would like it to be broader than just traditional combat sports. Why not add breaking? It would bring another audience. In spirit, breaking is quite close to combat sports. Its addition would go in the direction of “festivalization” of the event.
