Powerlifting

Strength is the primary ingredient of athletic performance. Powerlifting’s lifts are the definitive measure of strength. Powerlifting is the ultimate strength competition. The powerlifting athlete competes in three specific disciplines, each designed to measure different areas of human strength. The sum or total of the best lift in each discipline determines the winner. Powerlifting is an exciting sport where athletes compete against the force of iron as well as other athletes.
Powerlifting is an international sport practiced in close to 100 countries on all continents. Athletes, men and women from age 14 to 80, compete in given age groups and weight categories. Weight categories begin with 44kg women's class and end in the men's over 125kg class (unlimited). Powerlifters are unique athletes competing in an exciting sport. They move massive amounts of weight in hi-tech supportive gear that protects against injury. Contests and appreciative fans can be found from Delhi, India, to Dallas, USA. The unique powerlifting athletes compete in a wide variety of local, state, regional,national and international competitions.
The three disciplines, in contest order, that make up the sport are the Squat, Bench press and Deadlift.
Squat
The lift starts with the lifter standing erect and the bar loaded with weights resting on the lifter‚s shoulders. At the referee's command the lift begins. The lifter bends his knees and lowers himself into a squatting position with the hips slightly below parallel position. The lifter returns to an erect position. At the referees command the bar is returned to the rack and the lift is completed.
Bench Press
With his or her back resting on the bench, the lifter takes the loaded bar at arm's length. At the referee's command the powerlifter lowers the bar to the chest. On the chest there must be a visible pause. The powerlifter pushes the weight up until the arms are straight and the elbows locked. Then the referee will call 'rack' and the lift is completed as the weight is retuned to the rack.
Deadlift
The deadlift is often described as the king of the powerlifting disciplines. In the deadlift the athlete grasps the loaded bar which is resting on the platform floor. The powerlifter pulls the weights off the floor and assumes a standing erect position. The knees must be locked and shoulders back with the weight held in the lifters's grip. At the referees command the bar will be returned to the floor under the control of the lifter.
The first powerlifting competitions were organized in the early 1960s. Powerlifting has a steady growth and at present there are over 500'000 athletes. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) governs all competitions in 92 member nations. The IPF has a banned substance abuse policy that mirrors the IOC’s policy. The IPF conducts consistently in and out of competition drug testing.

Orienteering

Orienteering is ...
... highly athletic,
... mentally challenging,
... environmentally sound,
... and gender-neutral!

Orienteering is the sport where athletes use map and compass to navigate their way through the terrain in order to find the control points which form the pre-set course. The map gives detailed information on the terrain such as hills, ground surface, obstacles etc. There is no marked route in the terrain - the athletes must choose their own route between the control points.
In orienteering, the clock is the judge. Fastest time wins. Electronic equipment verifies that the athlete has visited all control points in the right order. Orienteering is highly athletic. Orienteers run over rough ground, completely unprepared forest terrain or rough open hills - cross country in the true sense of the word. Therefore, considerable body strength and agility is needed.

Orienteering demands the advanced skill of being able to read a detailed map and choose the best route over complex terrain while moving at high speed. The course is designed to test both the orienteer's physical strength and their navigation skills. Orienteering is a sport that uses no fixed structures, the natural environment is the arena.
Orienteers are keenly interested in environmental protection. The sport is conducted to minimize or eliminate environmental impact at its events. In doing so, the sport has gained respect in conservation circles.
There is a wide variety of orienteering formats: individual competitions and relays, sprint races and mountain marathon events. The formats chosen for The World Games program are an individual middle distance competition for both men and women, and a mixed relay for teams of two men and two women.
In 1897, the first ever public orienteering competition was held in Norway. During its first century orienteering developed from an activity invented in a small corner of northern Europe to a modern, high-technology sport practised by more than one million people in countries all over the world on five continents. World Orienteering Championships have been organized since 1966. Teams from 40 countries participated in the 2004 World Orienteering Championships in Sweden. The program includes four competitions for both women and men; a sprint race, a middle distance event, a long distance competition and a relay event for teams of three.

Netball

In 1891 a Canadian immigrant to the USA, James Naismith, was asked to invent an energetic indoor game for high-spirited young men. He came up with basketball, which so captivated his female colleagues that they began playing too. Within a short time, Naismith's rules were misinterpreted by a sports teacher in New Orleans and netball was born. The game quickly spread to England and British Commonwealth countries, where it continues to be played today.
Netball is a fast, skillful team game based on running, jumping, throwing and catching. Teams may include up to 12 players but only 7 may take the court at any one time. The major aim of the game is to score as many goals as possible from within an area called the Goal Circle. Only two players from each team may score goals; the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter.
World Netball Championships and World Youth Netball Championships are held once every four years. Netball is also a core sport on the program of the Commonwealth Games. The all-women sport made its third and, unfortunately, to date last appearance in The World Games in 1993, in The Hague, Netherlands, from where the netball final between Australia and New Zealand was broadcast live to the game's most appreciative television audiences downunder. It is estimated that there are in excess of 7 million people playing netball in 65 countries. The sport's governing body is the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).

Life Saving: Beach, Pool

Organized international lifesaving activities date back to 1878, when the first World Congress was hosted in Marseille, France. A need for an international forum to exchange ideas was soon recognized. This led firstly to the establishment of the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS) in 1910 and then to the formation of World Life Saving (WLS). Both organizations were established to promote lifesaving throughout the world. While FIS was focused on stillwater, WLS was more focused on ocean lifesaving. Lifesaving sport was primarily intended to encourage lifesavers to develop, maintain and improve the essential physical and mental skills needed to save lives in the aquatic environment.

On February 24, 1993, in Leuven, Belgium, FIS and WLS were merged into a single, worldwide lifesaving organization known as the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). ILS was officially constituted by the ILS General Assembly in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, on September 3, 1994.
Since then, ILS has provided the single uniting force of lifesaving around the world. ILS is the international federation which oversees lifesaving sport and is the world's governing body for lifesaving and lifeguarding, for over 33 million members in 131 organizations.
The international liaisons forged by sport have helped greatly in advancing international exchanges of information on lifesaving practices.
The Lifesaving Disciplines
Lifesaving competitions consist of a variety of competitions to further develop and demonstrate lifesaving skills, fitness and motivation. The lifesaving competitions are held in stillwater (pool), in the ocean and on the beach.
Stillwater Events
The stillwater events are mainly held in a pool. These events require technical skills and speed.


Individual events:
200m Swimming with Obstacles
The competitor swims 200m in freestyle during which he swims under eight obstacles.
100m Saving a Manikin with Fins
The competitor swims 50m in freestyle with fins and picks up the manikin from the bottom which he carries it to the finish.
50m Saving a Manikin
The competitor swims 25m in freestyle and then picks up the manikin after which he tows it to the finish.
100m Combined Rescue Medley
After a 50m swim in freestyle the competitor swims under the water (20m for men and 15m for women) to pick up the manikin and carry it to the finish.
100m Saving a Manikin with Fins & Rescue Tube
The competitor dives into the water and swims 50 metres in freestyle with fins and rescue tube. At the turning edge the competitor fixes the rescue tube around the manikin and tows it to the finish.
200m Super Lifesaver
After a 75m swim in freestyle and a 25m carry of the manikin the competitor puts on the fins and rescue tube and swims 50m in freestyle followed by fixing the rescue tube around the manikin and towing it to the finish.
100m Lifesaving by Boat
The competitor jumps into the boat, rows to a buoy, turns around it, rows to an immersed Manikin, lifts it at the pool mirror edge and returns to the buoy using one oar, turns around it, and returns to the finish line still using only one oar.
Team events:
4 x 25m Manikin Relay
Four competitors carry a manikin 25m each.
4 x 50m Obstacle Relay
Four competitors swim 50m in freestyle each passing under two obstacles.
4 x 50m Rescue Tube Relay
Four competitors swim 50m using a different technique. The first swims 50m in freestyle, the second 50m freestyle with fins, the third pulls a rescue tube swimming in freestyle, and the fourth takes over the rescue tube and swims freestyle with fins towing the third competitor who is holding on to the rescue tube.
Simulated Emergency Response
The purpose of the event is to assess the initiative and judgment of a group of lifesavers in applying lifesaving skills in a simulated emergency situation. A number of victims are positioned in and around the swimming pool. A team of 4 lifesavers then enters the pool area and determine priorities in helping as much as possible the victims during a period of two minutes.
Ocean Events
The ocean events are most spectacular and fun to watch. The race and results are often unpredictable as currents and waves play a major role. These events require experience, tactics and endurance from the athletes.
Individual events:
Surf Race
From behind the starting line the competitors run in the water and swim approximately a 400m distance rounding a set of buoys and returning to shore.
Board Race
On the starting signal the competitors enter the water with their boards and paddle around the buoys to return to the beach and cross the finish line.
Ski Race
On the starting signal the ski is paddled around all buoys and return to the beach.
Ironman / Ironwoman Race
This event is conducted over a course which shall include a swim leg, a board leg, a ski leg, and finish with a beach sprint leg.
Beach Flags
At the start line the competitors lie face down with their toes on the start line. Upon the signal they get up, turn around and run approximately 20m trying to get a baton. There are always be less batons than competitors and the intent is for each competitor to gain a baton. A competitor who fails to gain a baton is thereby eliminated.
2km Beach Run
The competitors run a 2000m course made up of four (two) legs of 500m each.
Beach Sprint
the competitors run a 90m sprint between running lanes that a separated by ropes are laid on the beach to assist runners keep a straight course.
Team events:
Rescue Tube Rescue Race
The event consists of four persons - a patient, Rescue Tube swimmer and two rescuers. The rescue tube swimmer swims out behind the buoy line to secure the rescue tube around the patient and then tow the patient back to the beach. On return to the beach, two rescuers must drag or carry the patient past the finish line.
Taplin Relay Race
Teams comprise 4 competitors (1 swimmer, 1 board paddler, 1 ski paddler, 1 runner).
Board Rescue Race
the patient swims to his allotted buoy and signifies his arrival at the buoy by raising his arm. The rescuer then enters the water and paddles to the patient, who gets on the front of the board and assists the rescuer by paddling the board on the return to shore.
Beach Relay
A team of 4 competitors each complete a leg of the 90m course with a baton held in their hand and pass it to the next runner.
Surf Boat Race
A boat crew consists of five competitors, four of which are rowers and the fifth controls the boat by a sweep oar. On the starting signal the boats are rowed around their turning marks and return to the beach.
IRB Competition
On the starter's signal, the crew launches the IRB from the beach, proceeds through the surf, picks-up their patient, round their buoy and return to shore.
A select number of these events are staged during a particular edition of The World Games.

Korfball

Korfball is the world's only dedicated mixed team sport. Developed in 1902 by an Amsterdam school teacher for the pupils of his coeducational school, it has developed into an international competitive sport, still expressing the values of controlled contact and cooperative play. Korfball is played by two teams, each consisting of four female and four male players. The objective is to throw a ball through a korf. The korf is a rattan basket fixed at the top of a 3.5 meter high post. The posts are fixed at 1/6 of either end of a 40 x 20 meter pitch, allowing also to shoot and approach the korf from the rear side.
Uncontrolled contact is not allowed, as is dribbling or running with the ball. The game requires all-round skilled athletes, as the players must alternate between attacking and defending positions after every two goals. A game lasts 2 x 30 minutes. Scoring goals is done from a wide variety of positions, including shots at high speed in close proximity to the basket, shots from as far away as fifteen meters with unbelievable accuracy, and penalty shots allowed after severe fouls.
Besides the international competitive discipline, which is played indoors, other disciplines include outdoor korfball (usually played on grass on a larger pitch) and beach korfball (played on sand on a smaller pitch). Korfball is played in well over 40 countries and across all continents. Its governing body is the International Korfball Federation (IKF). Even though the sport is celebrating its official centenary in 2003, world championships have only been organized since 1978. Korfball has appeared on every World Games program since 1985 and was recognized by the IOC in 1993.

Karate

The literal meaning of the two characters that make up the word karate is 'Empty Hands', referring to the fact that karate originated as a method of self-defense which relied on the effective use of the unarmed body, and was made up of elaborate techniques of blocking or thwarting an attack and counter-attacking an opponent by punching, striking or kicking.

As a physical art, karate is almost without equal. Since it is highly dynamic and makes balanced use of a large number of body muscles, it provides excellent all-round exrecise and develops coordination and agility.
With elaborate contest rules prohibiting dangerous throws and attacks to the sensitive parts of the athletes' body, it is possible to hold actual matches as in other combat sports. Because of the speed, the variety of techniques, and the split-second timing it requires, highly athletic-minded people have come to show a particular interest in competitive karate.
Besides the sparring in 'kumite', the one-on-one combat between two athletes, there are competitions in which 'katas', Japanese for 'forms', are performed to the highest level of perfection.

Ju-Jitsu

Ju-jitsu (or Yawara) is an ancient Japanese martial art. Its origins date back to the sixteenth century, when legend has it that Shirobei Akiyama witnessed how the branches of most trees broke during a blizzard, while the more elastic branches of the willow bent and efficiently freed themselves from the snow.
Thus the “Gentle Art” or “Art of Suppleness” (this is the meaning of ju-jitsu in Japanese) does not neutralize power with power but aims to rationally absorb an attack and convert that energy to the opponent’s own detriment.
The golden age of ju-jitsu lasted until 1869, date on which the emperor’s return to Japan and the subsequent abolition of feudalism made the samurai lose their privileged status. Samurai tradition nevertheless kept ju-jitsu alive and travellers brought the art to all four corners of the world.


In more recent years, the essence of other martial arts, such as judo and aikido, has developed from ju-jitsu, extracting specific aspects of their martial art forefather. An international governing body was established in 1977 – between the founding members Italy, Germany and Sweden – in order to develop the sporting aspects of ju-jitsu. Since then, the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) has become a structured federation organized in Continental Unions, coordinated by a central Board and supported by Committees.
JJIF organizes World and Continental Championships, International Camps, seminars, and an annual Congress and General Assembly.
JJIF is Member of GAISF and IWGA since 1994.


Ju-Jitsu Competitions
The Ju-Jitsu International Federation currently contemplates two different types of competitions at world level: the Duo System and the Fighting System.
The former is a discipline in which a pair of jutsukas from the same team show possible self-defense techniques against a series of 12 attacks, randomly called by the mat referee to cover the following scenarios: grip attack (or strangulation), embrace attack (or necklock), hit attack (punch or kick) and armed attack (stick or knife). The Duo System has three competition categories: male, female or mixed, and the athletes are judged for their speed, accuracy, control and realism. It is arguably the most spectacular form of ju-jitsu competition and it requires great technical preparation, synchronism and elevated athletic qualities.


With a different approach, the Fighting System is articulated in a series of two-round, one-on-one combats between athletes from opposing teams. The system is divided in 10 categories according to weight and sex (male categories: -62 kg, -69kg, -77kg, -85kg, -94kg, +94kg; female categories –55kg, -62kg, -70kg, +70kg).
The actual combat is divided in three parts: Part I sees the Jutsukas involved in distance combat and controlled attacks with arms and legs. Once a grab has been made, the fight enters Part II and hits are no longer allowed. The Jutsukas try to bring one another down with various throwing techniques. Points are given according to how 'clean' and effective the actions are judged. Once down on the tatamis (mats), the match enters its Part III. Here points are given for immobilization techniques, controlled strangulations or levers on body joints that bring the opponent to yield. The winner is the Jutsuka who has accumulated most points during the fight. This type of competition requires timing, agility, strength and endurance.

Hockey: Indoor Hockey

Indoor hockey is a version of outdoor or field hockey. It developed in Europe in the 1950s mainly to allow keen hockey players to continue enjoying their sport during periods of bad winter weather. But as it is an exciting and enjoyable version of the game it is now played in many locations around the world. Indeed, its emerging status as a worldwide sport has been recognized by its governing body, the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which organizes the first World Indoor Hockey Championships in Germany in February 2003.
Indoor hockey can be played on any hard, smooth and flat surface but is usually played in a sports hall. The pitch is therefore smaller than an outdoor field. It is only 44 by 22 meters at most and has 10 cm boards down the longer pitch sidelines which keep the ball in play more and so helps to create a fast, flowing and exciting game.
Two teams of 6 players (but with six more substitutes who can be used throughout the match) compete against each other. The ball may only be pushed and not hit or flicked and, except for a shot at goal, it may only be played along the ground. The head of a hockey stick has a rounded side (the right side) and a flat side (the left side). Only the flat, left hand, side of the stick can be used to play the ball. So, field players are not allowed to use their feet (or any other parts of their bodies for that matter) to control the ball. Only the goalkeepers are allowed to use stick, hands, feet, etc. to stop the ball when defending in the semi-circular area in front of their goal.
As in field/outdoor hockey, the fundamental aim of the game is to score by getting the ball into the opponents' goal. The team scoring the most goals is the winner. A field goal is scored from open, continuous play. Field goal shots may only be taken by attackers from the 'shooting circle', a roughly semi-circular area in front of the opponents' goal. If a ball is played from outside the 'shooting circle' and goes into the goal, it does not count as a score.
If a defending team breaks certain rules, the other team may be awarded a 'penalty corner.' Often penalty corners are awarded because a team breaks a rule while defending in their 'shooting circle'. To take a penalty corner, play is stopped to allow the teams to take their positions in attack and defense. One attacker stands with the ball on a designated spot on the back-line. (It's the line that marks the shorter boundary of the pitch and on which the goal is placed.) This player will 'push out' the ball to other attackers, waiting to take a shot at goal. The other attackers usually wait at the top of the shooting circle to receive the ball. But in any case, all attackers have to be outside the shooting circle until the penalty corner begins.
All members of the defending team (including the goalkeeper) position themselves behind the back-line to defend against the penalty corner. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to position her/himself inside the goal. All other defenders must be outside the goal on the side furthest from where the ball is being put into play.
The ball is 'pushed out' to an attacker waiting to receive it. Before a shot on goal can be taken, the ball must first be stopped. After it is stopped, the receiver or another attacker will usually take a shot at goal. Once the attacker on the back-line begins to push the ball out, the defenders on the back line may move into the circle, and do their best to keep the other team from scoring. But quite often a goal is scored - and one team of players will be celebrating!
A penalty stroke is a shot at goal defended only by the goalkeeper. All other players must stand in the other half of the pitch. A penalty stroke may be awarded for various reasons, the most common being an offense by a defender in the circle to prevent the probable scoring of a goal. The shot is taken from a spot 7 meters directly in front of the goal. Match time is stopped when a penalty stroke is being taken.

Handball: Beach Handball

As was the case with beach volleyball and football, beach handball emerged from the original game. In beach handball, too, the traditional sport's variation, consistent with lifestyle and beach culture, fits in perfectly with the environment.
Played on sand by teams of four - with four substitute players per team - the action on the small court (27 by 12 meters) is fast, at times even furious.
Extra points are awarded for particularly spectacular goals: for those scored in-flight, through a penalty or by a goalkeeper.
Games go over two halves of 10 minutes each. There is always a winner in beach handball: a 'golden goal' rule applies in a draw for the half; should each team win a half, the game is decided by a 'shoot-out' - a field player going up against the goalkeeper.

Gymnastics

In all, there are five different gymnastics disciplines which the International Gymnastics Federation - FIG puts regularly on the program of The World Games:
Trampoline and Tumbling could well get grouped together. They are indeed quite similar in certain aspects, but there are plenty of differences between them as well. Whether there is indeed a common theme to all five disciplines, you have to judge for yourself by finding out more about each one!
Rhythmic Gymnastics - Between Art and Sport
Rhythmic Gymnastics is an aesthetic discipline falling midway between art and sport. It is practiced exclusively by women and performed to music while using small hand apparatus - rope, hoop, ball, clubs and/or ribbon. The spectacular appeal of Rhythmic Gymnastics with its grace, harmony and beauty is enormous.
At the world class level the difficulty of body movements performed in combination with skilful handling of the apparatus is fascinating. However, learning and developing such skills require as much hard work as in Artistic Gymnastics or any form of dance.
In order to get to world class level, a rhythmic gymnast needs natural talent, the ability to handle hard training which will further develop strength, flexibility, jumping abilities, spatial orientation, stamina and handling skills with the apparatus.
Finally, Rhythmic Gymnastics is about developing personal style and the ability to get one's own artistic message and charisma across to the audience. All routines are performed to music, of one or more instruments. The hand apparatus used in Rhythmic Gymnastics are: Rope, Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon. During the exercise, the apparatus must be in constant motion: movements with great variety of shape, amplitude, direction, plane and speed should be performed. It may not be used as simple decoration; the relationship between gymnast and apparatus must be constant.
Composing a routine is based on including in it some specific fundamental groups of body movements and also technical groups in apparatus usage. Only individual Rhythmic Gymnastics is featured in The World Games, the group event is on the Olympic program.
Sports Acrobatics - Spectacular and Dynamic
Spectacular, dynamic, practiced by both men and women alike, 'acro' sports count among the oldest known disciplines. The name comes from the Greek acrobateo, 'to rise' or 'to go forth', and acrobatics were practiced as early as the ancient Egyptian period. Integrated into the FIG since 1999, this discipline requires courage, strength and stamina, while demanding flexibility and skill. Exercises are accompanied by music, harmoneously in keeping with gymnasts' choreography, body movements and musical culture.
Sports Acrobatics favors body control in various positions, both on the ground and in the air. For this reason, the sport is included in the training programme of pilots, astronauts and parachutists.
Acrobatics is practiced as Men's, Women's or Mixed Pairs, as Women's Groups (3) or as Men's Groups (4). Time allowed for each exercise is 2 min. 30 sec. to 3 min., depending on the figures presented. The floor area measures 12 x 12 meters.
Balance and tempo are key elements to exercises in Pairs. Element combination is a determining factor for the value of the exercise. The balance routine does not include flying elements and a balance must be held for a given time (2 secs. for pairs, 4 secs. for groups). The driving force of the Tempo routine is the flying element. If Tempo in groups is the same as in pairs, the concept of Balance is quite another matter. In fact, the forming of the impressive pyramids entails the highest of risks. Exercises are presented without music and regulations authorise the use of additional mats. Choreography and individual elements contribute to the whole of the exercise.
Sports Aerobics - A Competitive Sport
Sports Aerobics is all about the ability to perform continuous complex and high intensity movement patterns to music, which originate from traditional aerobic dance.
The main purpose of traditional aerobic dance is to improve cardiovascular endurance and fitness levels by combining a series of aerobic movements with repetitions in order to involve major muscle groups, to increase the heart rate. Because of the repetition of the movements for a long period of time, the only concern was to maintain the alignment of the body.When the sport became a part of the gymnastics family, it was necessary to add difficulty criteria to the artistic and technical aspects in ordrer to make a competitive sport.
The routine in Sports Aerobics must demonstrate continuous movement, flexibility, strength and utilization of the seven basic steps with a high degree of perfectly executed elements of difficulty. Combinations of basic aerobic dance steps together with arm movement patterns performed to music to create dynamic, rhythmic and continuous sequences of high and low impact movements.The selection of the routines should provide a desired intensity to exemplify the cardiovascular nature of aerobics.
Initially by adding difficulty elements as a criteria, competitors tended to concentrate more weighting on the difficulty elements (which is less than 10% of the final score) than the artistic area. The secret is how to integrate the difficulty elements fluently with the aerobic movements in order to create a dynamic choreography for the sport. The routine must show a balance between variety of aerobic dance movement patterns and difficulty elements. Another trend was that sports aerobic routines were done more at the floor level. This contradicted with the traditional aerobic movements which are performed in a standing position with vertical rebound activity. Therefore, the new Code of Points restricts 6 elements maximum on the floor. The routine should give the impression of aerobics and not the packed with elements of a Broadway show. Of course the competitor must captivate the audience; but this should be done in a sporting manner. Hence, Sports Aerobics will be a dynamic and creative sport.
Trampoline and Tumbling - Flying through Space
From observing the fall of trapeze artists into the safety net, George Nissen (USA) started to develop ideas for the trampoline. Physical Education Professor and champion in diving and tumbling, he constructs the first trampoline prototype in his garage in the 1930s by binding a piece of canvas to a metal frame using elastic bands. The trampoline is born. The word trampoline most probably originates from the combination of the two words 'trampling' and 'board' (diving board). With use, the word became trampolining, and finally trampoline.
Trampolining (individual or synchronized) is an elite sport, a discipline symbolizing freedom, flying and space, harmoniously associated with boldness, elegance and precision. The multiple somersaults and twists at a height of about 8 meters require a fine technique, perfect body control and most aesthetic movements. The Trampoline is used as a basic training device for all sports which contain acrobatic elements. Trampolining is spectacular. It combines courage, elegance, agility, magic, youth.
The Double Mini Trampoline developed from the common Minitramp, it allows more acrobatic performance. After the run-up the competitors show one skill on the apparatus followed by a second skill onto a landing mat. High level performers show double and triple somersaults with twists!
Tumbling is characterized by continuous speedy, complex, rhythmic hands to feet, feet to hands, and feet to feet acrobatics within 6 seconds on a dynamic track 25m long. Tumbling is a highly spectacular sport in which a perfect combination of speed, rhythm as well as somersaulting and twisting movements are required. In all, a surprising cocktail of virtuosity and controlled energy!

Flying Disc: Ultimate, Disc Golf

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) oversees many different activities that involve play with a flying disc. The disciplines cover a full range of athletic activity from such pure tests of skill as distance and accuracy to very specialized games of strategy such as double disc court which is like space-age tennis. Freestyle play is an extremely artistic display of various throws, catches and manipulations.
'Guts' , on the other hand, tests the daring of each player as he or she tries to catch high-speed throws coming from an opponent who is only 15 meters away. Endurance and swiftness of foot are tested by the 'discathon' in which players cover a one-kilometer cross-country course which requires throwing around a series of compulsories.
Of all the disc sports, two have risen to the highest level of popularity. Disc golf puts a whole new spin on the traditional ball and stick game and over 1000 permanent courses have sprung up around the world since 1975. As in conventional golf, to score well, players need to have the skill to throw both long accurate drives and have the ability to approach and putt with great efficiency. At The World Games 2001 in Akita, the disc golf champions were Barry Schultz and Julianna Kover, both of the United States.
Perhaps the most popular of all disc sports is 'ultimate' , which is a field game combining some of the very best elements of soccer, basketball, football and hockey. It is, however, unique in many ways. The flight of the disc adds amazing excitement to play. Amazingly accurate passing over long distances makes defense a grueling challenge.
Turnovers are an immediate change of possession so the action between goals is heart pumping for players and spectators alike. Goals can only be scored by passing and many of the catches in ultimate are spectacular displays of speed, leaping ability and coordination. There are many field games, but our fans think this is the ultimate.
In The World Games 2001 Akita, the ultimate champion was Canada, besting a strong US team in a thrilling overtime final match.

Fistball

Fistball is a very old sport which continues to be practiced all over the world: in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia. The game of fistball was first mentioned in 240 A.D. by Gordianus, an emperor of Rome. The first rules for an Italian version of fistball were recorded by Antonius Scaiono in 1555. In 1786, it was none less than Johann Wolfgang Goethe who mentioned fistball games between 'four noblemen from Verona and four Venetians' in his diary 'An Italian Journey' .
Fistball belongs to the games where a ball gets hit across a net from one half of the field of play to the other. Like in tennis and volleyball, the aim is to place the ball in the opponents' half in such a way as not allowing them to reach it - even after a bounce. The ball is hit with fists or arms. After passing the net, the ball may be made contact with up to three times by the five players on each team - with a bounce being permissible after every contact.
Fistball is played outdoors as well as indoors. The men's outdoor game, which is featured in The World Games, is played on a field of 20 by 50 meters. The center line divides the field in two halves; 2 meters above the center line a 6 cm wide net or tape is strung across the field. Service lines are marked at three meters from the center line in each of the halves. The ball is made of leather, has a circumference of maximum 68 cm, weighs up to 380 g, and it is inflated at 0,75 bar. The matches are played to a system of 'best of three sets' , with a set won by the team accumulating 20 points.
Other than in The World Games, the international fistball elite unites in quadrennial 'International Fistball Association' World Championships for men and women.

DanceSport: Latin, Rock 'n' Roll, Standard

In dance sport, male and female athletes pair up to compete together on the same field of play, for the same awards. The first world championships in what was then called 'ballroom dancing' took place in 1909, in Paris. Dance sport championships under the auspices of the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) are held in four disciplines:
Standard Dances
Standard comprises altogether five different dances: the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep.
Latin American Dances
Latin American comprises five different dances as well: the Samba, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive.

Ten Dance
Ten Dance is the combination of the above, all the Standard and Latin American dances performed as a one-day event.
Formation Dance
Formation features eight couples dancing a fixed choreography - in either Standard or Latin American disciplines - to their own music.
Rock' n' Roll
Championships in Rock 'n' Roll are conducted under the separate rules and regulations of the World Rock 'n' Roll Confederation. For the first time ever, competition Rock 'n' Roll features alongside the IDSF's disciplines in The World Games 2005 Duisburg.

Proper technique is the foundation of dance sport. The music for all IDSF disciplines except Formation is selected by the organizers or the orchestra. The athletes do not know which melodies they will dance to; although the basic rhythm and the tempo for the music are both governed by the Competition Rules of the IDSF. Through elimination rounds couples taking part in a competition are reduced to the final between the six best. In the finals of every dance, the judges place each couple from first to sixth. Winners are the couple with the most 'firsts' accumulated in the different dances.

Casting Sport

Casting sport counts among the world's most challenging throwing sports.Casting is a tournament sport in which highly skilled athletes compete in fly-casting and in plug-casting disciplines. The sport is made up of accuracy-based disciplines and distance-based disciplines. In both, the athletes use rods which are very similar to angling rods.
History of Tournament Casting Sport
Tournament casting started back in the 1860s and continued ever since to develop into today's modern sport. Despite its long history, it took all the way until the 1950s before a proper organization took over and the International Casting Federation, was founded 1956. Since then, world and continental championships have been organized on a regularly basis. In the year 2003, the federation changed its name to International Casting Sport Federation and the acronym to ICSF.
Casting Sport at The World Games
At The World Games casting sport participates with three disciplines, each with both men's and women's divisions. To promote the essentials of tournament casting sport the events are selected based on their popularity and to showcase casting's variety in the two disciplines. At The World Games 2001 those events were Fly Accuracy, Plug Accuracy (with revolving spool) and Fly Distance (single handed). The World Games 2005 feature Fly Accuracy (men, women), Fly Distance (M, W) and Spinning Accuracy (M, W).

Canoe: Canoe Polo

The roots of canoe polo are found in the other disciplines of canoeing. In the early thirties, canoeists from quite a few European countries sat in their kayaks and started to toss balls to each other. Inevitably, a new game was born! But having its roots in different countries meant that the sport developed in quite a few different directions. It took until 1986 to have the International Canoe Federation's (ICF) Canoe Polo Committee come to life. And in 1994 Great Britain had the honor to host the first world championships.
Since then the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships have been held biennially.The rules governing international canoe polo were introduced in 1990. The game is played on an area of 35 by 23 meters, with goals of 1,5 by 1 meter hanging 2 meters above the water. Playing time for a game is twice 10 minutes, it can be interrupted by a referee for a 'time out'. The game starts with the players, 5 on each team, in their kayaks at their own goal line and the ball in the center of the field of play. The players of both teams seek to get possession of the ball which can be played by hand or by striking it with the paddles.
The opponent is allowed to tackle the player in possession of the ball - this includes the player's boat. To make the sport interesting and fast, a player is not allowed to keep the ball for more than five seconds, after which he must surrender it to a teammate. During the game, unlimited substitutions of the players on the water and the three replacements per team can be made. The canoe polo player paddles a specially designed kayak that is up to 3 meters long. His equipment includes a helmet with facemask, body protection and a double-bladed paddle.

Bowling: Ninepin, Tenpin

Bowling dates back at least 7,000 years, to a time when Egyptians left remnants of the earliest known form of the sport in their tombs. Polynesians have enjoyed their version of the sport for several centuries.
The term 'kegler' may derive from the 3rd century AD, when German peasants who enjoyed the sport carried a club known as the kegel, not unlike the Irish shillelagh, for protection. Over time, wooden balls replaced stones and pins were substituted for the kegel.
The Dutch developed bowling. By 1650 the sport encompassed nine pins set in a diamond pattern toward the end of a 90-foot lane (track). Tenpin bowling, which features a 60-foot lane and pins set in a triangle pattern, is believed to have derived from the Dutch version.
Scoring for strikes and spares came about during the mid-century when heavier bottle-shaped pins replaced the earlier tall and slender version.
There are more than 200'000 elite-level bowlers worldwide. More than 100 million people bowl in all corners of the globe, including 10 million who compete in organized events an average of 40 times a year.
Bowling is free of drug and substance abuse.
Scoring, based 100% on athletic performance, is objective and non-controversial.
It is gender equal (49% female).
Since lack of height, speed or strength is no handicap to highest scoring, bowlers from all corners of the globe compete equitably for championships and medals.

During an elite-level tournament, a bowler must possess the physical and mental attributesto consistently deliver a seven kilogram ball about 900 times in three days. A successful deliver requires that the ball must be released within one centimeter of a chosen mark and strike a four centimeter target 18.3 meters away. Championship performance often requires medal winners to do this more than 90% of the time.
Bowling is an accuracy-based sport according to a comprehensive study recently completed by Dr. Ben Johnson, former Director of the Center for Sports Medicine, Science and Technology at Georgia State University. The study concludes that bowling is not unlike archery, shooting, baseball/softball pitching or other accuracy based sports, and much like tennis, running, equestrian, table tennis, basketball, as well as many other Olympic sports, those who participate for social, recreation or health/fitness reasons do so at a level far below the Olympic high performance standard.
Dr. Johnson measured the technique, flexibility and strength under competitive conditions of bowlers of varying abilities with a multi-camera biomechanical motion analysis system that measured ball velocity, body center of mass velocity, shoulder angles and rotational speeds, trunk angle and lead leg knee angles.
Fédération Internationale de Quilleurs (FIQ)
FIQ is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for tenpin and ninepin bowling. FIQ has 125 member federations in all Olympic Zones. Its tenpin discipline is included on the official program of almost all major world and regional multi-sport competitions, including the Asian Games, Pan-American Games and The World Games. World and Zone (American, Asian and European) as well as National Championships are conducted annually or biennially for adults or youth.

Boules Sports: Boule Lyonnaise, Pétanque, Rafle

The throwing of bowls counts certainly among the oldest of all sporting gestures: from ancient Greece, where it was first practiced, it was brought to northern Italy and southern France by the Romans.
Despite its popularity throughout the Middle Ages, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that diverse rules began to emerge and govern different 'games of bowls' : Boule Lyonnaise, Pétanque, Rafle and Lawn Bowls (which is not described here).
All games have in common that bowls ('boules' in French) are being used to play. These are either made of metal - small (diameter of 8 cm, 800 grams) in size for Pétanque and bigger for Boule - or of a synthetic material for Rafle. They also share that a considerably smaller bowl - the but, the jack or 'cochonnet' (French for piglet) - is used as the target, and some fundamentals in terms of the throwing techniques:
The 'Point' , the throwing action in placing one's bowl as close as possible to the jack, is performed from a poised position, with both feet firmly placed inside a small circle in Pétanque or in a wider stance in Boule and Rafle.
The 'Shot', the action of hurtling one's bowl at that of an opponent in order to clear it out of the way, is performed after a few running strides in Boule and Rafle or from a stationary position within the thrower's circle in Pétanque.
The terrain, sport bowls' field of play, is flat, smooth and clearly marked for Boule and Rafle, while in Pétanque it tends to be less defined, shorter and more uneven.
More than 240 World and Continental Championships have been staged in men's, women's and junior divisions to date. The traditional events in singles, doubles and triples have been complemented with newer events such as the Precision Throw, the ultimate test of a player's throwing qualities, and the Progressive Throw, an athletic variation to the game of Boule Lyonnaise.
Countries around the northwestern Mediterranean basin - the area which saw the emergence and the early development of sports bowls - feature still the highest density of people practicing these sports: 20 millions in France and Italy. Nearly 1 million players are licensed in 80 other countries on all continents, with the most significant growth rates recorded in South America and Asia (China and India).
The governing bodies for the altogether four different boules sports (Pétanque, Boule Lyonnaise, Rafle and Lawn Bowls) are gathered in the World Confederation of Boules Sports - CMSB.

Body Building

From the writings of Aristotle and Plato, there is today little dispute over the fact that ancient Olympians were fully cognizant about physical training and dietary techniques. Indeed, Socrates himself coined the phrase 'mens sana in corpore sano' - 'a sound mind in a sound body' .
The great strongman Eugen Sandow is credited with organizing the first 'physique' competition at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, in 1901 - with none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as one of the judges.
With the formation of the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) in 1946, by brothers Joe and Ben Weider, modern body building was born. Today, the IFBB numbers close to 200 national affiliates and the sport of body building is practiced by millions worldwide.
Like many other sports, competition day is but the culmination of many months and years of 'behind the scenes' training. Athletes compete by bodyweight - six categories for men; three for women. A body building competition consists of two events: Prejudging and Finals.
At Prejudging each category presents onstage before a panel of nine judges. During this presentation, the competitors are compared against each other while performing relaxed turns and compulsory poses - seven for men; five for women. Each judge must award each competitor a placing, from first to last, giving no two or more competitors the same placing. Two high and two low placings are then discarded. The remaining five placings are summed to produce a Prejudging 'subscore' and 'place'. Ties are immediately broken.
During Prejudging, the competitors are compared for muscularity (size and density), definition (cuts), proportion (shape) and symmetry (balance).
At Finals, the top six competitors from Prejudging are judged again by the same panel of judges. Each competitor is called on stage to perform his or her individual posing routine to music - 60 seconds for men; 90 seconds for women. This is followed by a final comparison of the compulsory poses and a posedown. Again, each judge must award each competitor a placing, from first to last, giving no two or more competitors the same placing. Two high and two low placings are then discarded. The remaining five placings are summed to produce a Finals 'subscore' . This 'subscore' is added to the Prejudging 'subscore' to produce a Finals 'score' and 'place' . Ties are immediately broken. The competitor with the lowest score is awarded first place.
Competition - at world, continental and national levelsn - is also open in Junior Men and Women, Master Men and Women, and Mixed Pairs categories.
The top finalists are drug tested, strictly following the World Anti-Doping Code and using only IOC accredited laboratories.

Billiard Sports: Carom, Pool, Snooker

The game of billiards has a long and rich history, evolving from a lawn game similar to croquet and dating as far back as 1350. In its many years it has evolved into three competitive sports - snooker, pool and carom - all under the umbrella of billiard sports.
Play began outside using a ball and a crooked still. This was later moved indoors to a wooden table covered with green cloth to simulate grass with a simple edge. Balls were shoved rather than struck with a wooden stick called a 'mace'.
The cue was developed in the late 1600s. For many shots the mace was too cumbersome so players turned it around to strike the handle with the ball. The equipment became more and more sophisticated in the 1800s due to the industrial revolution and by 1850 the billiards had essentially evolved into its current form.
The three divisions of billiards - Carom (Carambole), Pool and Snooker - are derived from the same game but have all developed separate identities, creating their own set of rules and governing bodies around the world. All the divisions of billiard sports are now working together harmoniously for the future of the game and its continued expansion.
All disciplines have three pieces of basic equipment in common. Each game is played on a table, with or without pockets, which is covered in cloth. The thickness of the weave of this cloth 'nap' varies between disciplines. Each discipline uses a cue which varies in length and different colored balls. The skill lies in moving the balls around the table and points are scored by either potting the balls or deflecting them off as many edges as possible.
Billiard sports are played in over 100 countries around the world spanning five continents. The number of registered players is estimated at over 100 million. The sports are enjoyed by a global television audience made up of male and female, young and old viewers.
Billiard sports made their debut in The World Games in Akita in August 2001 and certainly made a lasting impression. Each year, many tournaments are held all over the world organized by the national governing bodies. Players from different countries compete against each other in tournaments organized by their world governing bodies.