1985 World Games

Last updated
World Games II
World Games 1985 logo.png
Host city London, England
MottoSport is a universal language, the world is one family, all mankind are brothers and sisters.
Nations33
Athletes1,550
Events134
Opening25 July 1985
Closing4 August 1985
Opened byCharles Palmer
Chairman of British Olympic Association
Main venue Wembley Stadium

The 1985 World Games were the second edition of the World Games, an international multi-sport event held in London. Three main venues were used, the main one being the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The opening ceremony was held at the Wembley Conference Centre. The master of ceremonies was television commentator Ron Pickering. Competitors were addressed by World Games Association President Dr Un Yong Kim, who told competitors, "the World Games is an innovation that deserves a warm welcome." Games Patron Ryoichi Sasakawa underwrote the financial shortfall to enable the Games to take place. British Olympic Association Chairman Charles Palmer opened the Games on behalf of the British sports community. The song "World Game" by John Denver was adopted as the theme for the Games. Sports included field archery, taekwondo, karate, sambo, powerlifting, finswimming, roller sports, casting, korfball, water skiing, speedway, fistball, softball and netball. [1] The ground team at Crystal Palace was headed by former Nottingham Forest player Roy Dwight with assistance from Tosh Chamberlain. Television coverage was produced by Cheerleader productions. Commentators included Simon Reed, Martin Tyler, Gerald Sinstadt and Dave Lanning.

Contents

Titles

134 titles were awarded in 22 sports (not including two invitational sports). [2]

  As Invitational sport

SportTitlesNotes
Artistic roller skating 4
Roller speed skating 12
Roller hockey 1
Bodybuilding 6
Boules 1
Bowling 5
Casting 12
Field archery 4
Fistball 1
Finswimming 17
Karate 12
Korfball 1
Life saving 12
Netball 1
Racquetball 2
Sambo 17
Taekwondo 8
Trampoline 6
Tug of war 2
Water skiing 6
Powerlifting 3
Softball 1
Motocross
Speedway
Total134

Venues included Wembley Conference Centre, Princes Club (Bedfont), Copthall Stadium. Wimbledon Stadium, Crystal Palace, David Lloyd Club, Tolmers Scout Camp and Stevenage Bowling Center. [3]

Medal table

The medal tally during the second World Games is as follows. Italy finished at the top of the medal standings. [4] Two bronze medals were awarded in fistball and in each karate-kumite (9) and taekwondo (8) event.

  *   Host nation (Great Britain)

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of Italy.svg  Italy  (ITA)27292278
2Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States  (USA)18161852
3Flag of Spain.svg  Spain  (ESP)1511531
4Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany  (FRG)13121641
5Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden  (SWE)128525
6Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain  (GBR)*11112143
7Flag of France.svg  France  (FRA)7111331
8Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  South Korea  (KOR)7018
9Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands  (NED)5139
10Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Japan  (JPN)5128
11Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary  (HUN)44513
12Flag of Norway.svg  Norway  (NOR)26816
13Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland  (IRL)2002
14Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada  (CAN)15511
15Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium  (BEL)1449
16Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland  (SUI)1247
17Flag of Austria.svg  Austria  (AUT)1102
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand  (NZL)1102
19Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore  (SIN)1001
20Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia  (AUS)0459
21Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei  (TPE)0314
22Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt  (EGY)0224
23Flag of the Philippines (light blue).svg  Philippines  (PHI)0213
24Flag of Bahrain (1972-2002).svg  Bahrain  (BHR)0011
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg  Brazil  (BRA)0011
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia  (COL)0011
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark  (DEN)0011
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland  (FIN)0011
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast  (CIV)0011
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica  (JAM)0011
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico  (MEX)0011
Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco  (MON)0011
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal  (POR)0011
Flag of Venezuela (1954-2006).svg  Venezuela  (VEN)0011
Totals (34 entries)134134152420

References

  1. Media Release 1985 World Games
  2. "The World Games London 1985" (PDF). westnally.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
  3. Bell, David (2011). Encyclopedia of International Games. McFarland. p. 408. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  4. "Results of the World Games". International World Games Association. Retrieved 2015-10-26.

Channel Four broadcast of the Opening Ceremony.