BANGKOK – It has been announced that Lacrosse will once again appear in the World Games.
At the International World Games Association’s (IWGA) General Assembly during the SportAccord summit in Bangkok, Thailand, the IWGA published its Sports Program for the World Games 2021 approving Lacrosse as an official sport.
Over 3,500 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 30 official sports when the World Games return to the United States for the first time since 1981. The eleventh edition of the World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, from 15-25 of July in 2021.
“It is a great honour to be selected to the program for the Birmingham 2021 World Games,” said FIL President Sue Redfern. “Every international games inclusion is important for the growth of our sport worldwide. Our sport is growing exponentially across the globe and the inclusion of Lacrosse into the Birmingham 2021 World Games is fantastic news. FIL is very pleased that Men’s Field Lacrosse will be played in 2021 now as well.”
The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) is the international governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse. The FIL currently has 60 member nations and holds five World Championships: Men’s Lacrosse World Championship; Under-19 Men’s Lacrosse World Championship; Men’s World Indoor Lacrosse Championship; Women’s Lacrosse World Cup; and Under-19 Women’s Lacrosse World Championship. Each event is held on a quadrennial basis. The FIL is responsible for the governance and integrity of all forms of lacrosse and provides responsive and effective leadership to support the sports’ development throughout the world.
Lacrosse will feature eight teams for both the Men and the Women’s competitions, with additional details coming later. The Birmingham 2021 World Games will be the first summer version in the United States since Santa Clara hosted the multi-sport event in 1981.
“This is a big day for The World Games, and for Birmingham,” said DJ Mackovets, CEO of The World Games 2021 Birmingham. “We’re excited to bring these sports – some of which likely will be new and unique to sports fans – to our city. But more importantly, we’re thrilled about Birmingham’s opportunity to shine on an international stage.
Other sports to compete at the World Games 2021: Gymnastics, Ju-Jitsu, Karate, Kickboxing, Muaythai, Sumo, Canoeing, Fistball, Floorball, Handball, Korfball, Lacrosse, Racquetball, Softball, Squash, Archery, Billiards, Bowling, Powerlifting, Tug of War, Air Sports, Finswimming, Flying Disc, Lifesaving, Orienteering, Roller Sports, Sport Climbing, Waterski and Wakeboard.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.
World Lacrosse has also appointed Nicola John and Tom Lewis as the sport’s competition managers for the 2021 World Games in Birmingham, United States.
John, who was an international player for Wales and won gold at the 1999 European Lacrosse Federation Championship before moving into an administrative role, has been appointed women’s competition manager. Lewis, who founded a lacrosse programme for young people in the Alabama city where the Games will take place, will serve as manager of the men’s event.
Men’s lacrosse will make its World Games debut in 2021, while the first women’s event took place in 2017 in Wrocław, Poland.
Both officials will work with the Birmingham 2021 Organizing Committee to plan the tournaments, which will feature eight men’s and eight women’s teams.
The 2021 World Games will also mark the 40th anniversary of its first staging.
