Countdown: World Games 2021 1,000 Days Away

BIRMINGHAM, AL - When former Birmingham mayor William Bell helped secure the 2021 World Games in Birmingham, it was considered quite a coup for the city, but also seemed like an eternity away. But, as current mayor Randall Woodfin said in a press conference Friday in Birmingham's Uptown, "it will be here before you know it."

World Games 2021 Birmingham organizers today announced the first three corporate partners of the international, Olympic-style event. Birmingham-based Alabama Power, Protective Life and Regions
Bank will serve as Foundation Partners of The Games.

In addition to the three initial Foundation Partners, the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau and State of Alabama have pledged their support to The World Games 2021. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

"The Magic City is a sports town," Woodfin said. "And a perfect fit for the World Games. I am of the opinion that the success of the World games is on us. Talent may win games, but teamwork wins championships."

“One of the reasons we knew that The World Games would succeed in Birmingham is the quality of support of the local business community and its leaders,” said DJ Mackovets, CEO of The World Games 2021. “The Games will bring nearly 5,000 participants and tens of thousands of fans to the city, and be broadcast to millions more across the world, so the support of these partners will give us the opportunity to provide an exceptional experience to our visitors and to showcase Birmingham to a global audience.”

In addition to the announcement of the first three Foundation Partners, The World Games 2021 also unveiled the first official countdown clock, which will be permanently housed in Birmingham’s Uptown Entertainment District through The Games. Additional countdown clocks will be installed in key locations throughout the city, including Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and City Hall, over the next three years.

Photo via Markstein.

Included in photo:
L-R: DJ Mackovets, CEO, The World Games 2021; Rich Bielen, President & CEO, Protective Life; Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin; Joe Knight, Commissioner, Jefferson County; Jonathan Porter, Chairman, The World Games 2021; Ron Froelich, IWGA Honorary Life President.