The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports that are not contested in the Olympic Games.
Some of the sports that were on the program of the World Games eventually made it as Olympic sports (such as triathlon) or have been Olympic sports in the past (like tug of war). Most of the sports will however probably never be part of the Olympics, due to the strict rules for inclusion as an Olympic sport.
Some of the sports that are currently held at the World Games are orienteering, body building, powerlifting, fin swimming, squash, netball, and water skiing.
The host cities of the World Games should be able to stage all the events in existing facilities, no new should be built for the Games.
The World Games are organised and governed by the International World Games Association (IWGA).