BUDAPEST, Sept. 13 -- Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said on Friday that the World Urban Games follow the initiative of Olympic Agenda 2020 to make sport "more urban and more youthful".
Bach said in a letter sent to the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and organizers of the World Urban Games that it is an "exciting initiative" because the inaugural Games are "a great way to put the spotlight on new sports, forged by the energy and creativity of urban youth of today for the youth of tomorrow."
The World Urban Games, a new multi-sport event launched by the GAISE last year, opened here Friday morning and will conclude on Sunday.
Bach met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in a visit last July and was welcomed by Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) President Krisztian Kulcsar.
"By bringing sport to the heart of the city of Budapest, the first World Urban Games will be a great occasion to celebrate urban life, youth and culture," Bach said in the letter.
"Always compete in the Olympic spirit of excellence, respect and friendship, but most importantly enjoy every moment of this experience.
"The World Urban Games are a wonderful illustration of the strong partnership that exists between GAISF and the IOC. Shaping the future of sport can only be done in partnership.
"Standing together, united in our shared goal to promote our shared values of sport, we can make the world a better place through sport.
"In this Olympic spirit, I wish all athletes, fans and spectators a most memorable and successful World Urban Games 2019 and a wonderful time in beautiful Budapest," he said.