[MilesBear1]

THE WORLD GAMES
The World Games is an extraordinary, international sports event held every four years, in the year following each Summer Olympic Games. Staged over 11 days, The Games represents the pinnacle of competition for 3,600 of the world’s best athletes in 30+ unique, multi-disciplinary sports. The World Games generates worldwide exposure for participating sports and provides a highly visible stage on which athletes from more than 100 countries compete for gold.

More than 600 medals will be awarded to the competing athletes, including 200 gold medals for the ultimate champions in each discipline. The World Games 2022 will be held in Birmingham, Alabama from July 7-17, 2022, generating an estimated economic impact of $256 million for the city. Marking The World Games’ 40th anniversary, this will be the first edition of the event to be hosted in the United States since the inaugural World Games in Santa Clara, California, in 1981.

The World Games is led by the International World Games Association (IWGA), a non-profit organization that is composed of 37 International Sports Federations and recognized by The International Olympic Committee (IOC).

INTERNATIONAL WORLD GAMES ASSOCIATION

Founded in 1980, the International World Games Association (IWGA) is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization constituted under Swiss law. Made up of International Sports Federations Members, it administers a quadrennial and multi-disciplinary sports event, The World Games, which aspires to equal and exceed the importance of World Championships organized by each Member Federation individually.

The principal aim of the IWGA is to develop the popularity of the sports governed by its Member Federations, to improve their prominence through excellent sporting achievements, and to conserve all the traditional values of sport through The World Games. Since its establishment on May 21, 1980, IWGA membership has increased from 12 to 37 Member Federations.

The International World Games Association is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The two organizations signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding in 2016, which underlines the closer cooperation between the IOC and the IWGA.

[MilesBear1]

Check out Birmingham's newest attraction just in time for The World Games. Checkout the City Walk website at citywalkbhm.com in your web browser.

About City Walk BHAM

The recent completion of Birmingham’s I-59/20 Central Business District (CBD) Interstate bridges brings about a renewed focus on the space underneath the bridges known as City Walk BHAM. The goal of City Walk BHAM is to provide a space to assist in reconnecting Birmingham and create a destination and common area open to all citizens.

Conceptual planning began on City Walk BHAM in 2014 via a study conducted with REV Birmingham to analyze not only what could be done under the bridge to make this a great space for people, but also to create a fresh and vibrant space. The 2014 study only homed in on 8 blocks from 18th to 24th streets. In 2015, the lighting scheme of the I-59/20 Bridge replacement job was incorporated into the construction plans. The lighting scheme included LED ribbon lighting along the outer edges of the bridge along with the provision of ambient and functional lighting under the bridge.

At every phase of the project ALDOT has worked to engage the public and generate widespread participation in the project to change public perception of the area. In July of 2018, several public involvement meetings at Boutwell Auditorium were held where people could review the plans for City Walk BHAM. This public involvement process led to an evolution of the design for the space.

Fast Facts

 City Walk BHAM will span 10 city blocks, from 15th St N to 25th St N – almost a mile in length.

 The entire area encompasses 31 acres, which will provide a space to assist in connecting Birmingham.

 A community voice is being used to create a destination and common area for all citizens of Birmingham.

 Local size comparisons: Railroad Park, 19 acres; Rotary Trail, 1/2 mile.

[MilesBear1]

The Opening Ceremony for the World Games last night here in Birmingham Alabama was Spectacular. So as the Olympic Director said "Let The Games Begin!!!!"

[MilesBear1]

What a Great First Weekend here in Birmingham for the World Games. I got a chance to volunteer work for the Sumo Wrestling Event at the Boutwell Auditorium and it was a great event. And if you are here make sure you checkout the HBCU Experience Tent at City Walk presented by Microsoft.

HBCU Experience Presented by Microsoft Schedule and School Days

Miles              Thurs. July 7th 3pm-7pm

Tuskegee           Fri. July 8th   3pm-9pm

Alabama State      Sat. July 9th   3pm-9pm

Lawson State       Sun. July 10th  3pm-9pm

Bishop State       Mon. July 11th  3pm-9pm

Drake State        Tue  July 12th  3pm-9pm

Gadsden State      Wed. July 13th 3pm-9pm

Talladega College  Thurs. July 14th 3pm-9pm

Shelton State      Thurs. July 14th 3pm-9pm

Alabama A&M        Fri.   July 15th 3pm-9pm

Stillman           Sat.   July 16th 3pm-9pm

Trenholm State     Sun.   July 17th 3pm-7pm

[‘87 Alum]

MB1 -

Are they still dropping like dead flies from the heat? I heard about the archery dude….

[MilesBear1]

They are ok and there are Medical Tents and Cooling Trailors for fans and Athletes. I didn't know that Black folks were fans of Sumo Wrestling. But I will tell you that Ukraine is the Most popular country here as they get a standing ovation and cheers from the crowds. Even Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfrin was spotted in a Ukraine Polo Shirt.

[MilesBear1]

I hungout with the British Lacrosse team the other day as I was assigned to show them around the city and make sure they arrived to Olympic Village at UAB Campus.

[‘87 Alum]

I hungout with the British Lacrosse team the other day as I was assigned to show them around the city and make sure they arrived to Olympic Village at UAB Campus.

You didn’t take a side trip to Fairfield?

[FunCkMaster]

I hungout with the British Lacrosse team the other day as I was assigned to show them around the city and make sure they arrived to Olympic Village at UAB Campus.

Brah,

You can tell us...You had some ale and Crown Royal with them cats, didn't you?

[DJTheRealist]

I work at UAB in housing, and it's crazy to see how things have come together to prepare for all the world games participants.

[MilesBear1]

I know right because they got them streets blocked off with heavy security around UAB Campus. Only Buses are allowed on campus. I had to park my car at Five Points South to walk down to Campus to get on the bus with the Lacrosse team.

[MilesBear1]

Funck, Na Bruh they had me working I didn't have time to drink nothing but water and Powerade.

[MilesBear1]

Fans waited ‘All Night Long’ to see Lionel Richie
Updated: Jul. 18, 2022, 8:30 a.m. | Published: Jul. 18, 2022, 7:33 a.m.

By Greg Garrison | ggarrison@al.com
Fans waited “All Night Long” to see Lionel Richie.

The long-awaited Richie concert at the end of the World Games closing ceremony required patient fans.

Many spectators came out to the closing ceremony just to see the home state hero, who launched his career as a member of The Commodores in Tuskegee in 1968.

At 10:54 p.m., some boos began to erupt as the World Games video highlights finished again, nearly three hours into the program. There had been a lull since 10:15 p.m. of no music or stage performances.

“We thank you for your patience,” the stadium announcer said. “We promise it will be worth the wait.”

Lionel Richie took the stage at 10:57 p.m. and sang “Dancing on the Ceiling.”

He then addressed the crowd, which may have wondered why Richie went decades without performing in Alabama. Richie wanted to make the point that he had been back to his home state to visit, just not to do concerts.

“I have been away from performing, not away from the state,” Richie said. “My house is still in Tuskegee.”

He followed up with another hit, “You Are.”

He then congratulated the World Games athletes. “I celebrate each and every one of you on a job well done,” he said.

For his final song, he launched into “All Night Long,” which also served as an apt description of the World Games closing ceremony.

He finished at 11:13 p.m.

“Good night, everyone,” Richie said, waving to the crowd. “Great to be home, Alabama!”

Fireworks erupted and people headed for the exits at 11:15 p.m. Many had to catch shuttles that stopped running at midnight to get back to their cars.

For a more detailed account of the full World Games closing ceremony program, which included performances by Randy Owen, Jamey Johnson, Blind Boys of Alabama, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice and Pastor Mike Jr.:

[MilesBear1]

‘Thank you, Birmingham’: World Games closing ceremony celebrates athletes with music
Updated: Jul. 17, 2022, 11:19 p.m. | Published: Jul. 17, 2022, 8:22 p.m.

By Greg Garrison | ggarrison@al.com
Just after 8 p.m. Sunday, about 1,000 international athletes, volunteers and staff took part in a procession into Protective Stadium for the closing ceremony of the World Games, carrying the flags of their countries.

UAB music professor Henry Panion directed an orchestra that played as the athletes walked in and took their seats on the field.

The event marked the closing of the World Games in Birmingham, which began July 7 and featured 233 events in 34 sports.

Germany won the most gold medals at the World Games in Birmingham with 24 as competition concluded Sunday afternoon. Italy led the overall medal count with 49.

The German team walked the sidelines of the closing ceremony during the procession with a banner that said, “Thank you, Birmingham.”

About 3,375 athletes competed in the World Games in Birmingham, but not all stayed for the closing ceremony.

Former “American Idol” Ruben Studdard was the first musical performer to sing as the lights dimmed, at about 8:29 p.m., singing “Alabama, You Belong to Me,” followed by opera singer Allison Sanders and a large choir continuing the song. About 20,000 fans had filed into the stands by then.

Randy Owen of the country group Alabama came onstage at 8:39 p.m. and sang, “Without Love, We Can’t Survive.”

Another “American Idol,” Taylor Hicks came onstage to sing “Do I Make You Proud” at 8:44 p.m., accompanied by an acrobat shown on the video board and punctuated by some fireworks.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin came onstage at 8:48 p.m. “The past 11 days have brought us all a little closer,” Woodfin said. “You are now family.”

International World Games Association President Jose Perurena followed Woodfin and spoke to the crowd in both English and Spanish. “Good evening, sweet home Alabama,” he said.

The country-pop trio Worth the Wait, from season 19 of “The Voice,” sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at 8:58 p.m., followed by more fireworks.

Just after 9 p.m., the World Games flag and the U.S. flag that were brought in during the opening ceremony on July 7 were pulled down from the flagpoles. The World Games flag was brought onstage for a ceremonial transfer. Woodfin and Perurena took turns waving the flag to the crowd before handing it off to a Chinese official representing the next host city of The World Games, Chengdu, China, in 2025. More fireworks erupted.

After a video highlighting future host city Chengdu, a traditional Chinese dancer performer on a dance floor set up on the field that also served a video monitor beneath her flashing splashes of color. That was followed by a group of youthful Chinese dancers performing onstage in a cheerleader-style routine. They escorted a mascot in a panda costume onstage. The rotund, bouncy panda mascot waved to the crowd as the dancers continued their performance. As the cheerleader panda routine concluded, a burst of fireworks erupted and Panion struck up the orchestra in “Auld Lang Syne” and the dancers threw stuffed pandas in the audience.

At 9:27 p.m., Perurena declared the World Games Birmingham officially over.

At 9:28 p.m., a drum line featuring drummers from Alabama’s HBCU’s came onstage, drumming. They were followed by steppers from fraternities and sororities and then drum majors. Torches set up in the stands behind the stage sent up flames in rhythm with the drummers. They left the stage at 9:36 p.m.

At 9:38 p.m., the crowd did the wave, against a backdrop of soft orchestra music. Even the orchestra joined in the wave.

At 9:42 p.m., country singer Jamey Johnson played guitar and sang the Hank Williams standard, “I Saw the Light,” accompanied by the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Another former “American Idol” contestant, Bo Bice, made it to the stage at 9:48 p.m. and sang “Coming Back Home.” Studdard and Hicks joined him onstage mid-song. Hicks accompanied on harmonica. The three former Idol contestants finished at 9:51 p.m.

The Rev. Mike McClure Jr., known by the stage name Pastor Mike Jr., came onstage at 9:52 p.m., singing his gospel hit, “Big,” backed by a choir. Another round of fireworks erupted. Then he sang his latest hit, “Amazing,” a version of the Gnarls Barkley song “Crazy,” with gospel lyrics. McClure left the stage at 9:59 p.m.

The orchestra jammed for seven minutes, then all the featured singers who had been onstage earlier came on for a group version of “Hope of Alabama,” the theme song of the World Games 2022. As in the opening ceremony, Hicks played harmonica, accenting the orchestral backing on the song. More fireworks erupted. The group performance ended at 10:15 p.m.

A long lull followed, with video highlights from the World Games playing on the video board for more than 20 minutes.

At 10:39 p.m., spectators were asked to scan a QR code with their cell phones for a “Unite with Light” light show, that synchronized flashing lights on cell phones throughout the stadium.

At 10:54 p.m., some boos began to erupt as the World Games video highlights finished again. “We thank you for your patience,” the stadium announcer said. “We promise it will be worth the wait.”

Lionel Richie took the stage at 10:57 p.m. and sang “Dancing on the Ceiling.”

He then addressed the crowd. “I have been away from performing, not away from the state,” Richie said. “My house is still in Tuskegee.”

He followed up with another hit, “You Are.”

He then congratulated the World Games athletes. “I celebrate each and every one of you on a job well done,” he said.

Then he launched into “All Night Long.”

He finished at 11:13 p.m. and announced, “Good night, everyone. Great to be home, Alabama!”

Fireworks erupted and people headed for the exits at 11:15 p.m.

See more World Games coverage here.

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[MilesBear1]

It was a great 11 days in Birmingham with the World Games. And the Closing Ceremony was spectacular with Lionel Richie and the Tribute to the Alabama HBCU's with a presentation of a Drumline made up of drummers from HBCUs of Alabama along with members of the Divine 9 organizations.