Cali (COL), 25th July for the first time in South America, the 9th edition of the World Games, first held in California in 1981, opens today in Colombia and will continue until 4th August, during which time 3,500 athletes from 100 countries will compete in 36 sports disciplines, of which five are invitation sports.
The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Pascual Guerrero stadium and the Games will be opened by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge, the World Games being organised by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the IOC.
The official logo for Cali 2013, a ribbon, symbolizes the joy and mobility of Cali, and the mascot is called Bichofué, a yellow bird with a black mask from the region of Cali and its surroundings. In its male and female versions, Bichofué will greet and accompany athletes and spectators during the 10 days that the event will last, and will be at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and medal giving ceremonies in between.
The motto for Cali 2013 is “Fair Play to the Planet”, a priority the Organisers have set themselves being concern for the environment and the impact the Games can have in terms of waste disposal and durable development.
Over 3,500 volunteers will play a key role in the success of the Games.