WORLD GAMES NEWS. From the President. Programme - Provisional - World Games 2001, August, Akita (JPN)

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1 From the President It is with enormous pleasure that I, on behalf of the Co-ordination Group for the World Games 2001, can present in this issue of World Games News the programme for the sixth edition of the World Games. Of course the programme is still subject to some modification, but I am of the opinion that possible changes will not interfere with the now accepted schedule. The Akita Organising Committee is doing a very good job by preparing all details very carefully. The Presidents and Secretaries General of the 24 participating International Federations will have the opportunity to personally inspect the venues during their forthcoming visit to Akita prior to the meetings of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) next October in Osaka. This visit is a most generous and highly appreciated offer from the Akita Organising Committee. It is also good to see that for international use a very informative full colour brochure has been produced for the World Games And I can definitely advise you to visit the recently not only updated but for sure upgraded website at In the meantime the Executive Committee of the International World Games Association (IWGA) is already looking far ahead: the preparation of activities for the acquisition of potential candidate cities to host the World Games During the recent meeting we had the honour of the presence of Dr Jacques Rogge in his position as Observer of the IOC. His highly regarded experience not only as Member of the Executive Board of the IOC, but also as the Chairman of both the Co-ordination Committees for the Olympic Games in Sydney and in Athens proved already to be an enormous contribution while discussing the future of the World Games. There will of course be more discussions, but I am convinced that step by step we will have a clearer view of possible actions needed for the new millennium. In this respect it was very good news to hear that the Belgian Olympic Committee not only will continue but even more will expand its involvement with its national athletes to compete in World Games Elsewhere in this issue of World Games News you can read details of the Belgian commitment. It was also an honour for me as President of the IWGA to be invited by Dr Rogge in his capacity as Chairman of The European Olympic Committees (EOC) to make a presentation at the General Assembly of EOC later this year in the Czech Republic. An enormous opportunity to stimulate other National Olympic Committees to follow Belgium! A good look into the future implicates also the preparations for the tender procedure for the World Games Thanks to the hard work of the IWGA Secretary General Co Koren the IWGA Executive are now in the process of finalising an Organising Manual for host cities, that will also be used as the basis of a new Tender Document. Before finalising my introduction I have to congratulate the President of the Tug of War International Federation Co Koren for receiving the provisional status of IOC Recognised International Federation and the President of the World Karate Federation Antonio Espinós Ortueta for becoming a full IOC Recognised International Federation. May all athletes benefit from the recognition. I look forward to meeting you all next October first in Akita the host city for the World Games 2001 and later in Osaka the host city for the 1999 Congress and General Assembly of the GAISF. Ron Froehlich, President Programme - Provisional - World Games 2001, August, Akita (JPN) next page...

2 From The IWGA Meetings The Executive Committee had their first meeting this year on Friday 25th June at the headquarters of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) in Leuven, Belgium. It was also the first time Dr Jacques Rogge took part in the meeting as Observer from the IOC. Apart from the programme for the World Games 2001 and the actions by the Belgian Olympic Committee for the Belgian athletes to participate in Japan, the meeting spent quite some time speaking about the future of the World Games. While the various options are still to be thoroughly considered, the documents for the bidding procedure for candidate cities to host the World Games 2005 will be finalised in due course. The cities showing their interest in this respect will soon be provided with the related papers. The next meeting of the Executive Committee is planned for Sunday 10th October in Akita, Japan. The 1999 Annual General Meeting of the IWGA will take place on Thursday 14th October in Osaka (JPN). Dr Jacques Rogge will also attend the Osaka meeting. President Ron Froehlich chairing the IWGA Executive meeting with Secretary General Co Koren at his side. WORLD GAMES NEWS Provisional Programme World Games 2001 The Co-ordination Group for the World Games 2001, composed of representatives of the IWGA Executive Committee and of the Akita Organising Committee with IWGA President Froehlich in the chair, agreed on the provisional competition programme for the World Games 2001, to be held from Thursday 16th till Sunday 26th August. In the coming period some minor amendments might be necessary. (see front page) Belgian World Games athletes well taken care of Even from the start of the World Games, 1981 in Santa Clara (USA), the Belgian Olympic Committee (Comité Olympique et Interfédéral Belge) supports the Belgian athletes to compete in the four yearly event. For the sixth World Games, August 2001 in Akita (JPN), the assistance will include not only free travel and outfit, but also a free additional stay period of three days further to their presence as regulated for their specific sport. In this way the Belgian athletes will have a better opportunity for training in preparation for the qualifying competitions in order to meet the qualifying criteria for participation in World Games competitions. And before their departure to Japan, the athletes will all come together in training camps. IWGA President to speak to The European Olympic Committees President Ron Froehlich accepted the invitation from Dr. Jacques Rogge, in his position as President of The European Olympic Committees (EOC), to speak at the 1999 General Assembly of EOC on 12th and 13th November in Prague (CZE). The presentation will give Mr Froehlich the opportunity to stimulate the other 47 National Olympic Committees (NOC s) to follow the Belgian example. The IWGA President will no doubt pay attention to the statement made by the IOC President at the joint meeting between the IOC Executive Board and the Association of National Olympic Committees, held in Seville (ESP) June last year. Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch then reminded the 197 NOC s present that there were many sports not on the Olympic programme and he encouraged them to participate in the World Games. From Organisations IOC The 109th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Seoul selected the city of Turin in Italy to host the XX Olympic Winter Games in Among the decisions taken was the election of R. Kevan Gosper from Australia as Vice President and Zhenliang He from China as Member of the Executive Board. Former First Vice President Pál Schmitt from Hungary was elected as Chief of Protocol. The President of the International Football Association (FIFA) Joseph Blatter was elected as ex officio IOC Member. The World Karate Federation (WKF), the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the World Bridge Federation (WBF) were granted definitive recognition as International Recognised Federations. The Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) and the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) received provisional recognition. As part of a commitment to openness, the IOC Executive Board decided that all IOC Session proceedings would be open to the media via closed-circuit television as of this recent Session. GAISF The theme of the annual Congress of the International Sports Federations (GAISF), to be held in Osaka in Japan on Thursday 14th October, is Sport & Volunteers. The following day the role of the International Sports Federations in the preparation and organisation of Multisport Games will be presented and discussed with representatives of the Federations and Organising Committee. The GAISF Statutory General Assembly will take place on Saturday 16th October. GAISF entered into an agreement with the United States Sports Academy in which the institution has been designated the official provider for sport education programmes. The concept is that the Academy will develop and deliver sport specifics programs for GAISF Member Federations. AIPS The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) held its annual Congress in Budapest (HUN) 26th - 27th June in conjunction with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the organisation. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, accompanied by Executive Member Dr Jacques Rogge and IOC Members Jean-Claude Killy and Pál Schmitt, attended a gala arranged in honour of the Best Athletes of the Century. Next year the AIPS Congress will be held at the end of April in Fortaleza in the north of Brazil.

3 Air Sports Air Sports The Fédération Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) - the world governing body of all air sports - signed an exclusive contract with Trans World International to distribute the FAI s first-ever televised series of World Championships. The six programmes (four half hours and two one hours) cover Gilding, Paragliding, Hang Gliding, Hot Air Ballooning, Aerobatics and Parachuting. On Saturday 29th May a reception was held on the terrace of the Olympic Museum to celebrate that the offices of the FAI are now located in Lausanne. Among the principal guests the IOC President, the Mayor of Lausanne and the Chief of Staff of the Swiss Air Force. The FAI s Parachuting Committee Freestyle Skydiving & Skysurfing is currently looking into the The IOC President meeting FAI President Eilif Ness (left) and Max Bishop FAI Secretary General possibilities of including Freeflying and as such making it an official Parachuting Event. Archery The Congress of the Fédération Internationale de Tir à l Arc (FITA) is to be held in Riom (FRA) July following the World Championships Target Archery. On the Agenda, among other issues, elections for First Vice President, Vice Presidents, Council Members, Board of Justice and also for the Field Archery Committee. All three current Members of that Committee - Per Bolstadt, Derrick Lovell and Robert Phillips - are going for re-election with Michel Adnet from France also as candidate. Body Building Body Building The President of the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) Ben Weider had a meeting with IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch to present the IFBB Doping Control Policy and Anti-Doping Program. Mr Weider underlined the serious efforts being made by the IFBB in its battle against doping. This year the IFBB will increase out of competition drug testing, over and above drug testing at its national, continental and international championships. Bowling One of the two International Federations forming the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ), the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) might consider that the world professional should be removed from the current rule. At the request of FIQ s President Gerald L. Koenig a special committee analysed the issue and unanimously recommended the removal. When the WTBA Presidium at their meeting in October agree, the rule change will be presented to the WTBA Congress, November 16, in Abu Dhabi (AER). Also in this city the 1999 World Tenpin Bowling Championships will take place at the Khalifa International Bowling Stadium from 18 November until 1 December. The stadium has 40 lanes and can accommodate crowds up to Federations taking part will bring up to six Men and six Women bowlers, coaches and officials. Casting The newly elected ICF President Ulf Jansson The General Assembly of the International Casting Federation (ICF), held in April in Croatia, elected Ulf Jansson from Sweden as their new President. For Jansson s former position of Secretary General Ulf Persson, also from Sweden, was the sole candidate. The new corresponding address for the ICF is Blekingegatan 29, S Kävlinge, Sweden, telephone (h)/ (mob), fax (h) ulf.persson@ mailbox.swipnet.se. DanceSport Over 60 of the 74 Member Federations of the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) attended the annual General Meeting held in Bratislave (SVK) in May. Also present were the Presidents of the two IDSF Associated Members, the World Dance & DanceSport Council and the World Rock n Roll Confederation. On 18th December an IDSF International Open Competition in Standard and Latin-American will be held in Monte Carlo (MON) initiated by the recently established Monaco DanceSport Federation with Prince Alexander de Mérode as its President. The IOC President receiving the IFBB Doping Control Program President Baumann (3rd from left) conducting the IDSF meeting

4 Fistball The final matches of the 1999 World Championships of the International Fistball Association (IFH) will be held at the Kleinholz Stadium in Olten (SUI) during the weekend of August. The stadium will have a seating capacity for spectators. At the previous World Championships, in 1995, the top three ranked teams were 1. Germany, 2. Switzerland and 3. Austria. Two years later the outcome of the 1997 World Games Fistball competition gave a different picture: 1. Germany, 2. Austria and 3. Brazil. Gymnastics The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has in principle reached an agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) permitting the television broadcasting of World Championships for all disciplines covering the period of For the same period also an agreement was reached with Arab Radio and Television covering all Arab speaking countries , a contract was signed with Ukhozi Production of South Africa for the whole African Continent and contracts were signed with China Central Television and NHK Japan. ABC Television Network USA is to broadcast the 1999 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. The World Championships Sports Aerobics, held in Hannover (GER) June 4-6, were the first FIG event live covered on the recently opened FIG website. With the Women's Individual Yuriko Ito (JPN) took the gold, with the Trios France and Brazil tie for first, but Brazil took gold on artistic merit and with the Mixed Paris the first place was for Russia while the Men's Individual had Kwan Soo Park (KOR) as gold medalist. Ju-Jitsu The President of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) Dr Rinaldo Orlandi from Italy has been unani-mously re-elected during the annual JJIF General Assembly in Jerusalem (ISR). The same applied to Second Vice President Luis Baguena from Spain and Treasurer Dr Paul Hoglund from Sweden. The meeting, attended by delegates from 17 Member Federations, adopted revised technical rules for Referees and for the Duo System competition. The new address of JJIF Press Officer Roberto Orlandi is jjifnews@hotmail.com. Korfball During the World Championships in Adelaide (AUS) from July the International Korfball Federation (IKF) will hold its World Congress and General Assembly. Three of the main topics for the Congress are: the IKF in the new millenium; synthetic baskets; playing Rules in the next century. The agenda for the General Assembly has the usual items. President Bob de Die (NED), Secretary General Dr Jan Fransoo (NED) and Vice President / Treasurer François Springael (BEL) have come to the end of their term but are available for a further four year term. The 1999 World Championships are to be followed via a special website from Worldsport.com. Further-more the IKF joined the worldsport.com Intranet pilot. The new address for the IKF secretariat is ikf-office.korfball@worldsport.org and IKF Secretary General Dr Jan Fransoo can now be reached at janfransoo. korfball@worldsport.org. The IKF extended the existing co-operation with ball sponsor Mikasa till 31st December The contract covers an undisclosed amount of money and balls made available for the promotion of the mixed team sport across the globe. Life Saving During their meeting in England next September the Board of Directors of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) will discuss the result of debates held at the Strategic Planning Meeting. This meeting, held in April in Montreal (CAN), focussed on the future of ILS till ILS Secretary General Dr Harald Vervaecke of the International Life Saving Federation has been elected as Board Member of the Flemish Sports Federation grouping all sports organisation in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium and being the official advisor to the Sports Minister. The new address of the ILS Headquarters is ils.hq@pandora.be Netball The organisers of the 10th World Championships of the Federation of International Netball Associations (FINA), New Zealand launched a special website for the event, to be visited at The site stated that Television 2 in New Zealand will screen 40 hours of coverage of which 28 hours will be live game broadcasts. It is expected that there will be a live afternoon game as well as a live early evening match and late night highlights package. For the first time a World Netball Championships will be shown on a yet not known commercial TV network in Australia. Besides the South African Broadcasting Company will also take a still to be negotiated number of hours coverage while there are also ongoing discussions with networks in Asia, Caribbean and United Kingdom. Orienteering The Foot Orienteering Committee of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) has found Ukraine willing to take over the events of the 2000 World Cup originally to be organised by Belarus. The 1999 World Championships - Inverness, Scotland, 1-8 August - will have 33 teams and a total of 398 people comprising 165 Men competitors,142 Women and 91 officials. Powerlifting The international Powerlifting Federation (IPF) will hold its Congress the day before, 16th November, the Men's World Championships in Trento (ITA). On the agenda elections of all Executive Committee Officers as well as Chairmen for the Technical and Medical Committee. Although current President Grahame Fong had the intention to retire from the IPF admin-istration considerable pressure on him did change his mind. The Congress is also to decide about a Mediterranean Cup event, featuring all Mediterranean nations (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, France, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Greece and Israel) and a CIS Cup featuring all nations in the former Soviet Union. The PanAm Championships, scheduled for August 6-8, are postponed till next year. The 20th Woman's World Championships, held in May in Thesited (DEN), were attended by 104 athletes representing 24 nations. Russia won seven of the gold medals while Chinese Taipei, Denmark and Ukraine had one each. The address for the President Grahame Fong is ipf@ihug.co.nz. Roller Skating The Roller Hockey team of Argentina became the 1999 World Champion by beating Spain in the final match in Reus (ESP). Third place was for Portugal, followed by Italy, Brazil and France. The Central Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Roller Skating (FIRS) will select - Argentina, Portugal or Switzerland - next November the host country for the next World Championships in The 1999 World Roller Inline Hockey Champion is Switzerland, hosting the event in Thun (SUI) June, beating last year's Champion USA 4-3. The Czech Republic finished third followed by Austria.

5 Rugby Rugby The Council of the International Rugby Board (IRB), at its meeting in Buenos Aires (ARG), agreed to the establishment of an annual World Sevens Series. It is hoped the new series can kick off in December of this year. For the Interim Meeting in October the IRB Council will have a report on the promotion and development of Women s Rugby. The 1999 Conference on the Playing of the Game will take place in Sydney, Australia in early December. Those attending will include leading coaches, players and referees along with National Directors of Rugby. Earlier this year a delegation from the WSF, led by President Susie Simcock, met with the IOC President Samaranch to discuss the prospects for Squash being including in the Olympic Games of the year 2004 in Athens. President Juan Antonio Samaranch made it clear that Squash could only be included if the Greek Organising Committee requested it. However, Members of the Organising Committee have said they will accept Squash if the IOC puts it on the progamme for Athens. Tug of War Squash The annual General Meeting and Water Ski Conference of the World Squash Federation (WSF) are being held in Cairo (EGY) from 16th to 18th September around the finals of the Men s World Open and start of the World Men s Team Championships. The General Assembly of the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) held in May in Namibia re-elected Co Koren as President. The current TWIF Executive Committee includes also Cathel McKeefer from Northern Ireland as Senior Vice President, newcomer Anthony Martin from England as Vice President, Glen Johnson as Secretary General, and Anton Rabe from South Africa as Treasurer. The World Championships 2000 will take place in Blackpool (ENG) while the same event in the year 2002 will be held in Stellenbosch (RSA), the 2004 World Championships are scheduled in Rochester, MI (USA) and the 2006 event in Slagharen (NED). In June the Greek National Olympic Committee has informed the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) to have confirmed in writing to the IOC that Waterskiing is their choice for a new sport for Athens According to the IWSF at this time no other sport has been proposed for inclusion in the programme for the Olympic Games in Greece. In order to enable the IWSF to complete the work required to gain Olympic status the IWSF website ( has a new section for fund raising. Donation options differ from $50.00 to $1, President Samaranch given framed postage stamps for the Olympic Museum President Samaranch given framed postage stamps for the Olympic Museum WORLD GAMES NEWS is an official publication of the International World Games Association. Its purpose is to make the sports of the Member Federations better known to the media and the public. Therefore, reprinting or otherwise copying all of its contents is not only permitted but is heartily encouraged. Quoting WORLD GAMES NEWS as a source will be appreciated. Where the name of the writer is mentioned the article concerned is his sole responsibility. For all unsigned articles, the Editor bears responsibility and such articles do not necessarily express the opinion of the IWGA or the Executive Committee. WORLD GAMES NEWS will be issued free of charge four times annually, or more often if the need arises. The INTERNATIONAL WORLD GAMES ASSOCIATION (IWGA), is a recognised organisation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and an Associate Member of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF). IWGA is an association of independent international Sports Federations (all affiliated to GAISF) whose sports are not (yet) on the programme of the Olympic Games. To provide these lesser known sports with the media exposure and popularity they require for their further development, the IWGA and its Member Federations organise every four years a multi sports event called WORLD GAMES. The following International Sports Federations (in alphabetical order of their sports names) are affiliated to the IWGA: IAF (Aikido), FAI (Air Sports), FITA (Archery), WCBS (Billiards Sports), IFBB (BodyBuilding), CMSB (Boules Sport), FIQ (Bowling), ICF (Casting), IDSF (DanceSport), IFV (Fistball), WFDF (Flying Disc), FIG (Gymnastics), IHF (Handball), JJIF (Ju-Jitsu), FMK (Karate), IKF (Korfball), ILS (Life Saving), IFNA (Netball), IOF (Orienteering), FIPV (Pelota Vasca), IPF (Powerlifting), IRF (Racquetball), FIRS (Roller Skating), IRB (Rugby), FIAS (Sombo), WSF (Squash), ISA (Surfing), WTF (Taekwondo), TWIF (Tug of War), CMAS (Underwater), IWSF (Water Ski). Please direct any questions about WORLD GAMES NEWS to the Editor, IWGA Press Officer Mrs Trukie Albarda. All questions regarding the IWGA in general or the next WORLD GAMES event in particular should be adressed to the Secretary General of the IWGA, Co Koren. IWGA Headquarters: Ekeby House, Luiksestraat 23, 2587 AL The Hague, The Netherlands, tel , fax , iwga@hetnet.nl.

6 From Akita WORLD GAMES NEWS Meeting Co-ordination Group On 15th and 16th April the Co-ordination Group for the World Games 2001 met in Akita (JPN). Among the various items discussed was the provisional Competition program (see front page). The Demonstration programme will include five sports, i.e. Aikido, Beach Handball, Gate-ball, Sumo and Tug of War Indoor for Women. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 11th October again in Akita. Promotion The Akita Organising Committee revised the website for the World Games Meeting of the Co-Ordination Group World Games ( including the various sports and venues. Also a full colour brochure has been produced in English with not only information about sports and venues but also with tourist information about various parts of the Akita Prefecture.