Nick Sellers, chief executive of the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, has promised a safe event when it takes place ©Birmingham 2022

Nick Sellers, the chief executive of the 2022 World Games in Birmingham in the United States, has claimed that the event can become a "global moment of reconnection" following the coronavirus pandemic.

Sellers made his prediction during an International World Games Association (IWGA) media workshop held on Zoom.

A group of 73 media and communication professionals from International Federations (IFs) and other multi-sport organisations took part in the meeting.

The workshop was organised in three parts: "Sport & Corona Crisis", "Update on TWG Birmingham 2022" and "News & Exchange of Ideas".

The first part concentrated on the impact of the pandemic on the sports world, and on best practice and examples of how the IWGA and the IFs have coped with the situation on social media and in general.

Representatives from lacrosse, sport climbing, floorball, muaythai and archery showcased their new inventive ways of communication and participation during the crisis.

Examples included the virtual archery events that started in May, and the World Virtual Freestyle Floorball Cup.

The World Games in Alabama were originally due to take place next summer but have now been moved to 2022 following the decision to postpone the Olympic Games in Tokyo until 2021 due to COVID-19.

Media and communication professionals took part in a special workshop organised by the IWGA on Zoom ©IWGA
Media and communication professionals took part in a special workshop organised by the IWGA on Zoom ©IWGA

Sellers reassured those taking part in the Zoom call that Birmingham remained committed to delivering a world-class event in 2022 that would be safe.

A total of 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries are due to take part in 30 sports at Birmingham 2022, now due to take place between July 7 and 17.  

"Everybody wants to be back together, everybody wants to reconnect," Sellers said.

"And soon this pandemic will be in our rear-view mirrors.

"I believe that Birmingham, USA, and these World Games 2022 specifically, will become a global moment of reconnection."

Updates were also provided on television production plans for Birmingham 2022 by Ursula Romero, the managing director of International Sports Broadcasting, and Hagen Bossdorf, the IWGA's TV and marketing coordinator.

"Following the feedback and a first analysis of this virtual event, we can rate the meeting with IWGA Member Federations and our main partners such as the Birmingham Organising Committee, the host broadcaster ISB and the Olympic Channel as a great success," Bossdorf said.

"The spirit of the workshop should inspire and motivate all of us to manage the challenges through a global pandemic and to prepare the upcoming edition of The World Games 2022 Birmingham, Alabama in the best possible way."