Energy, passion and colour: those were the keywords on a night of lively festivities in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, as the city of roughly 20.9 million inhabitants welcomed athletes from around the world for The World Games 2025.
Taking place from 7-17 August, the multi-sport competition – featuring almost 4,000 athletes from more than 110 nations – began with a beautiful, stunning and vibrant bang, complete with fireworks shaped in the outline of a tree, dancing panda mascots and an aquatic torch-lighting.
Aside from the aforementioned pyrotechnics and whimsical mascots, the Opening Ceremony featured a video address from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, who shared a simple, yet essential message with the gathered athletes.
“Give it your best, enjoy the moment, and make these memorable and successful games for you, for the fans, and for the organisers.”
While the fanfare certainly capped off a day full of excitement and celebration, there was plenty of sporting action on the docket as well.
Archery, beach handball, floorball, inline hockey, men’s softball and lacrosse – set to return to the Olympic sports programme at LA28 – were the first of 34 sports to commence play at The World Games 2025, with vital pool play matches setting the tone for the day.
Continue reading to discover key moments, quotes and results from the first day of competition on 7 August.
View this post on Instagram
Lacrosse: athletes revel in the excitement of opening day matches
There was no tempering the excitement and energy of players and fans alike, as women’s lacrosse got underway at The World Games 2025.
The first day of matches featured four group stage matches, split evenly between group A (Canada, Japan, Great Britain and PR China) and group B (Australia, Czechia, Ireland and the United States of America).
The pace of play was fast and frenetic – a typical characteristic of sixes lacrosse according to Canada’s Erica Evans.
“I think the uniqueness of this sport is definitely the fast pace, like there’s always something going on for fans to watch and it’s really incredible.”
“I also think just the athleticism of the sport is amazing,” she added. “It kind of incorporates a lot of different sports, like, the best parts of each sport – basketball’s up and down the floor, soccer’s athleticism, hockey’s fast shots. There’s so much that it incorporates from other sports and I think that’s what makes it really unique.”
Those influences were on full display in Chengdu, as Team USA relied on their speed and attacking play to best Ireland, while Canada employed a healthy dose of teamwork and surgically precise shots to breeze past Japan.
Australia and Great Britain were in good form as well, racking up wins against Czechia and PR China, respectively.
“I think all of these tournaments are a great building block towards the Olympics,” explained British captain Emma Oakely. “China have put on a fantastic event here and we’re so lucky to come.”
“It’s a little bit hotter than where we come from, but it’s brilliant to be here,” she added. “I think all of these are good building blocks for us to get better and all of the teams to compete in the build up to the Olympics.”
View this post on Instagram
Archery: Mixed team compound brackets determined after qualification
It was an equally compelling day at the Qinglong Lake Park, as compound archery qualification took centre stage.
The Netherlands’ Mike Schloesser led the competition during the men’s individual qualifying round, shooting 715 to claim the top seed in the individual event.
“I think I managed well and I’m really happy with it,” the Dutch archer told World Archery. “The mistakes I made were really close to the line, so I’m really confident going into the next couple of days.”
Mexico’s Andrea Becerra was in equally impressive form in women’s qualifying, shooting 706 to claim the top seed, while setting her eyes on a second prize: the mixed team title.
“I’m really happy with how I managed today,” she told World Archery. “Hopefully tomorrow and the day after will be just as good or hopefully better and I’m feeling really good.”
“We want to be on the podium, so we’re looking forward to that,” she added, in reference to the mixed team compound event, which was recently added to the sports programme for the Olympic Games LA28.
Her efforts, along with Sebastian Flores’ own, were enough to see Mexico into the mixed team quarterfinals, alongside Team USA, India, Italy, Denmark, Türkiye, Colombia and the Republic of Korea.
With the slightest twinge of Olympic anticipation in the air, teams will look to make a statement as they chase gold on Friday, 8 August.
View this post on Instagram
Give it your best, enjoy the moment’ – IOC President Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Coventry’s inspiring message came at the perfect time as the first medals will be awarded in acrobatic gymnastics, archery, dancesport, karate, life saving, orienteering, trampoline gymnastics and wushu on Friday, 8 August.
