— Published on August 21, 2025

What should we remember from the Chengdu World Games?

EventsFOCUS Focus

One year after Paris 2024, the Olympic Movement gathered for a moment of great sharing in Chengdu, host of the 2025 World Games. Some 4 athletes and 000 countries answered the call of the International World Games Association (IWGA) in Sichuan province. This twelfth edition will mark the spirits and history of the competition, for several reasons. Starting with the first World Games torch relay, which gradually raised the temperature, until the lighting of the cauldron on Qinhuang Lake.

“New standards for the future”

During the eleven days of competition, 18 world records were broken. A record for the number of accredited journalists was also set (over 2). Another notable figure: seven nations discovered the World Games by participating for the first time – Armenia, Benin, Bermuda, Cameroon, Guinea, Kenya, and Myanmar. During these unforgettable days, Chengdu not only welcomed the world, it made the world feel at home., underlines IWGA President José Perurena. With its warm hospitality, remarkable efficiency and impeccable organization of these Games, this city has set new standards for the future. »

« On behalf of the International World Games Association, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Chengdu 2025 World Games Organizing Committee, the General Administration of Sport of China, the people of Chengdu, and the thousands of volunteers for their outstanding contributions. You made this event a great and unforgettable success, celebrated worldwide. » Two drawbacks to note, however. The unpredictable weather, which disrupted the program on the fourth day, will remain an anecdote. On a more tragic note, these Games were marred by the death of Italian athlete Mattia Debertolis, found unconscious during the orienteering race on August 8. Despite medical treatment, he died four days later, leaving a wound that took some time to heal.

A stepping stone to Karlsruhe

Chengdu 2025 also allowed the Karlsruhe 2029 World Games to advance their preparations. A German delegation spent several days there to familiarize themselves with what awaits them in four years. What we see here is impressive. The competition venues are of the highest level. However, we are not going to simply copy what we see., said Mayor Frank Mentrup, who received the IWGA flag Sunday evening at the closing ceremony. We want to give the Games their own character. We want to bring sport into the city. Public squares and parks will become sites where spectators can reach them on foot between competitions or within a few tram stops. » Chengdu has thus allowed the Karlsruhe 2029 team to further plan for the organization of a multi-sport event of this magnitude, particularly on topics such as venue and competition management, award ceremonies, and broadcasting. Next steps: the evaluation and assessment of this 2025 edition, as well as the preparation of the 2029 program. The final version will be presented in 2027.