An abandoned market hall with concrete walls daubed in graffiti provides a perfect backdrop for the inaugural World Urban Games that started in Budapest on Friday.
The gritty surroundings offer street credibility to an event seeking to win over new fans in a city that is home to one of the youngest and liveliest demographics in Europe.
The Games feature six main sports: BMX freestyle, roller freestyle, 3x3 basketball, flying disc, parkour and break dancing, plus two showcase events in laser run and indoor rowing.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The event, to be held every two years, is seen as an outlet for young people in cities across the world utilizing their urban environment to become sports stars.
Urban sports could end up eclipsing many “traditional” sports, thanks in part to their visibility on social media. Parkour videos number in their tens of millions on YouTube and the sport wishes to remain a product of the streets.
Last year, international federation Parkour Earth accused gymnastics chiefs of trying to “annex” the sport, promoting their campaign to remain independent with the hashtag #wearenotgymnastics.
It is why Global Association of International Sports Federations president Raffaele Chiulli believes the Urban Games will carve its own place on the global stage.
“We see the role of our multisport Games as something very different to that of the Olympic Games, which is truly unique ... but absolutely not to replicate or compete with the Olympic Games,” the Italian said in an e-mail.
“The concept of the World Urban Games is to inspire young people. I believe that there are young people who will come to the Games this weekend and see something spectacular,” he said. “If we can help the growth and development of sport by attracting new fans, we are providing an important service to our members.”
About 300 athletes from 48 nations across five continents are to compete this weekend in Budapest, which has previously tried to host the Olympics, but withdrew its most recent bid for 2024 after public opposition.
However, reception to the Urban Games has been more positive, with Chiulli expecting 30,000 spectators at the Urban Games Park in the south of the city — to some a wasteland, but to fresh eyes a playground.
“For us, the fact that this is a city steeped in history and tradition, yet with one of the youngest demographics in Europe, makes it the perfect partner for the World Urban Games,” Chiulli said.
It is also an opportunity to create an event that is forward-thinking in every aspect of its organization.
“The athletes performing are elite in their own right and have worked for many years at their abilities. We want to promote them and their sport,” Chiulli said.
“We are actively working against any form of discrimination, and through the Games we have worked hard to promote gender equity,” he added. “We have strived to achieve an equal balance between male and female athletes, and we have ensured equal prize money in each discipline, which we are very proud of.”
Yu Yao-hsing on Tuesday nabbed Taiwan’s only goal in the final round of qualifiers for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, as they fell 3-1 to Sri Lanka at Taipei Municipal Stadium. Early goals from Sri Lanka in the first half left Taiwan struggling to get on the board, and Christopher Tiao’s own goal at 53 minutes sealed the team’s fate in the third round of qualifiers. While acknowledging that the defeat, Taiwan’s sixth in Group D, was disappointing, head coach Matt Ross said he saw reasons to stay positive about the team’s development. “There were lots of positive signs in terms of the
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli yesterday vowed to “keep raising the bar” after winning the Japanese Grand Prix to become the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the championship standings. The 19-year-old Italian took advantage of a mid-race safety car to jump into the lead after a dreadful start from pole position, crossing the line ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Antonelli’s Suzuka victory came two weeks after the first grand prix win of his career in China, and sent him top of the championship standings after three races, nine points ahead of team-mate George Russell. Mercedes are struggling to
INDIGESTION: Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time after a 4-1 defeat to Bosnia on penalties in a loss Gattuso said was ‘difficult to digest’ Coach Graham Arnold on Tuesday challenged his players to “shock the world” after Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup with a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico, as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Sweden and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) also secured their places at the finals. Iraq, whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the Middle East, sealed their first appearance at the finals in 40 years and are to play in Group I against France, Senegal and Norway. Goals from Ali al-Hamadi
Teng Kai-wei, the only Taiwanese player on an opening-day roster in this year’s Major League Baseball (MLB) season, took his first win of the year with the Houston Astros in his season debut. Teng entered in relief in the top of the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, with the Astros trailing 5-0. He pitched 2-1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts, as Houston scored 11 runs during his outing to snatch an 11-9 comeback victory. The win is the Astros’ first of the season and the third of Teng’s MLB career. “It’s my first time pitching for the Astros, so
RSS