Peace, Friendship, Collaboration The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung

　The 8th World Games was a record-making sports event. With 103 participating nations and a total of 5,983 athletes and coaches, The World Games 2009 broke a few historical records including highest attendance and the biggest one to date. The enthusiasm and support offered by the residents of Kaohsiung, as well as the rest of Taiwan, contributed to the extraordinary achievements of this World Games, and Kaohsiung was recognized by everyone for its success. Many people were drawn to The World Games by the spectacular variety of competitions. As the residents of Kaohsiung embraced The World Games, they developed a sense of participation because of the level of involvement.

　Ron Froehlich, President of the International World Games Association (IWGA), had very positive words for the enthusiastic audiences. He was very impressed with the display of friendliness and respect given to the other countries' athletes during the games.

※The World Games Spirit

　Switzerland was the winner of men's 640 kg category in Tug of War. During the final against Germany, the German team became one man short due to an injury with no replacement available. Based on the spirit of fair competition, the Swiss team approached the referee and volunteered to remove one of their team members. When the Swiss team won the championship with a 2-0 result, the entire audience, including athletes and coaches from other teams, gave them a standing ovation not only to congratulate their achievements, but also as a gesture of respect for their display of true sportsmanship.

　IWGA Chairman Ron Froehlich openly praised the Swiss team for the fact that they offered the chance of fair competition to the German team as it was a perfect display of the spirit of The World Games.

※Team Chinese Taipei's Glorious Wins

　With the entire nation to cheer them on, team Chinese Taipei achieved some very impressive wins. The team scored a total of 8 Gold, 9 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals in Billiards, Bodybuilding, Jujitsu, Karate, Korfball, Lifesaving, Powerlifting, Roller Sports -Speed, as well as women's Tug of War. 

※The 2013 World Games in Cali, it's a date!

　On July 21st, IWGA announced in a press conference that The World Games 2013 will be hosted by Cali, Columbia. Columbia is a nation with a population of 44 million and is located in the northwestern part of South America. The official language of Columbia is Spanish.

　The World Games 2013 will be the first hosted by a South American country. Cali's representative, Mr. Guerrero, was in Kaohsiung during the games and he congratulated Mayor Chu Chen and the residents of Kaohsiung for their success with The World Games 2009. He also extended his welcome to everyone to meet again in Cali for The World Games 2013.

和平 友誼 合作 2009世界運動會

◎文／王大衛　◎照片提供：KOC、鮑忠暉、林育恩

　　第8屆的世界運動會有來自103個國家、5983位的選手和教練的參與，創下歷屆世界運動會參賽人數最多、規模最大的紀錄；而高雄市民以及國人熱情參與、支持之下，高雄世界運動會成功地獲得各界高度肯定。而世運各項精彩、多元的運動賽事，也吸引民眾到處去觀賞比賽，讓市民更有參與感，把高雄世運當成自己的事。

　　世運總會(IWGA)主席朗弗契也稱讚熱情參與的民眾，在觀賽的過程中展現對其他國家選手的友善和尊重，非常優秀。

※世運精神

　　此次拿下男子640公斤級拔河冠軍的瑞士隊，在與德國爭冠軍時，德國選手受傷，無人可替補，形成德國隊少1人，但為求公平競爭，瑞士隊主動向裁判表示，自願撤下1人。比賽結果瑞士隊二比零摘冠，瑞士隊展現高度運動精神，不僅贏得冠軍，也贏得在場各國選手、教練與觀眾全體起立致敬。

　　IWGA主席朗弗契公開讚許瑞士隊主動給德國隊一個公平競爭的機會，「非常完美，符合世運會運動的精神。」

※中華台北隊締佳績

　　中華台北隊此次在國人熱情加油聲中，締造亮眼的成績，於撞球、健美、柔術、空手道、合球、水上救生、健力、滑輪溜冰－競速、女子拔河等運動，摘下了8金9銀7銅。

※相約2013年到卡利參加世運會

　　IWGA於7月21日召開記者會正式宣佈2013世運會由哥倫比亞卡利市(Cali)主辦，。哥倫比亞位於南美洲的西北部，人口4千4百萬人，主要語言為西班牙語。

　　2013年將是南美洲第一次主辦世運會。卡利市(Cali)代表Guerrero先生，也來到高雄參加世界運動會，除了恭喜陳市長以及高雄市民，將世運辦得如此成功，更歡迎大家2013年到卡利參加世運會。