World Dwarf Games 2017

The 7^th World Dwarf Games held from August 4^th – 12^th, 2017 at the University of Guelph, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with registration and opening ceremonies held at Alumni Stadium on August 4^th at 7 pm with including the parade of Athletes.

Opening ceremony

 The World Dwarf Games 2017 began with a grand opening event on Friday, August 4^th, 2017. Competitions began on Saturday and continue until Saturday, August 12^th, 2017. The public was welcome to attend and it was free.

There are 400+ Athletes from 22 countries in Guelph, Ontario, along with families and supporters.

Sports being played in World Dwarf Games, 2017

 The Athletes competed in various sports activities. Competitions were in

Badminton, Basketball, Boccia, Football, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Volleyball, Shooting, Archery, Floor Hockey, Curling, Powerlifting, Track and Field, Marksmanship

 Competitive categories:

These games were open to all ages, from 6 year-old right up to people aged over 35 – and the range of talent was quite impressive.The participants were split into different categories based on their age and categorization of dwarfism which included measuring the standing and sitting height and arm span.

• Junior A Division ages 7 to 11.
• Junior B Division ages 12 to 15.
• Open starts at over age 15.
• Master, which is 35 and over.

According to organizers, The World Dwarf Games are an international competition (similar to the Paralympics) that allows little people to compete at an international level. The games are scheduled every four years at locations around the world. Athletes that have shown outstanding athleticism during the National Dwarf Games are chosen to participate in the World Dwarf Games. Numbers of people in this World do not know about the World Dwarf Games and by changing every single year – where it is. The first World Dwarf Games took place in Chicago in 1993 and was hosted by the United States of America with 165 athletes from 10 countries competing.

World Dwarf Games hosted by the countries from 1993 to 2017.

The mandate of the Games is to “encourage international sporting competition amongst dwarf athletes; represent the needs of dwarf athletes amongst other international sporting organizations; set and maintain standard rules for sports used in worldwide competition; establish eligibility and profiling rules for participating athletes; support a World Games every four years.”

***Athletes like Bleau say the Games not only provide motivation and encouragement but they help break down barriers and stigmas often associated with dwarfism, through education and by raising awareness.***

World Dwarf Games: Indian team hit a jackpot with record 37 medals at World dwarf games also known as ‘Olympics of little people’ held in Toronto.

Indian participants won 37 medals at the recently finished World Dwarf Games in Canada. The Indian side, which wasn’t considered as one of top teams before the tournament, stunned the world to secure a top-10 finish in the tournament, by clinching 15 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals in various events like badminton, swimming, archery, and athletics at the 7th edition of the World Dwarf Games, 2017.

Joby Matthew led the medals tally as he bagged 6 medals. CV Rajanna from Bangalore is another Indian athlete who won gold in 200 m race. Along with him, Devappa More had also won the 100 m race.

• The United States finished on top of the medals table with 293 medals, including 116 gold.

The Indian sporting fraternity including Sports Minister Mr. Vijay Goel extended their greetings to the contingent for their achievements. The players participated in different events in the international games and made the country proud.

Closing Ceremony

The games ended without any official closing ceremony.