POWERGRAMS

22 More than 4,000 athletes from some 100 countries will participate in about 35 sports When was the last time you saw a korall match or a finswimming competition? How about canoe polo or muaythai? While many people have never competed in or heard of these sports, fans from across the globe will travel to the United States for these events at the World Games in 2021. Of all the possible cities, Birmingham has the honor of hosting the World Games, with Alabama Power's Jonathan Porter leading the effort. And while four years may seem far away, the planning, partnerships and logistics are underway as Porter's planning commiee strives to make the Birmingham World Games the best yet. The World Games Foundation will produce the competition in conjunction with the city of Birmingham and the International World Games Association (IWGA). "We represent more than our city and more than our state; we represent the nation when the World Games come to Birmingham. It's an incredible opportunity," said Birmingham Division Vice President Porter, the World Games Birmingham 2021 chairman. The World Games are organized by the IWGA through the International Olympic Commiee, featuring Olympic sports and non-Olympic games such as sport climbing and parachuting. Like the Olympics, the World Games are held every four years. Birmingham is in good company: The event has taken place across the globe in London; Karlsruhe, Germany; The Hague, Netherlands; Lahti, Finland; Akita, Japan; Duisburg, Germany; Kaohsiung, Taipei, Taiwan; and most recently in Cali, Colombia, in 2013. This year's summer games are in Wroclaw, Poland. Birmingham won the international bid over finalists, including Lima, Peru and Ufa, Russia. This will be the first time the World Games have been in the U.S. since the inaugural event in Santa Clara, California in 1981. "We are happy to showcase our sports in Birmingham in July 2021, and we are sure that we will be offered optimal conditions for our sportsmen and women there," said José Perurena, IGWA president. During the extensive bidding process, World Games officials traveled to Birmingham in 2014 and were impressed with the united front of business and government leaders. Porter leads efforts bringing 2021 Games Porter

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