Following Tuesday’s official statement of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) that the 2023 World Beach Games scheduled to be held in Bali next month have been cancelled after the Indonesian city withdrew as hosts, UWW’s President, Nenad Lalovic, reached out to all national federations:

“UWW is highly disappointed by this decision, in the first place for the wrestlers who have prepared for this event and who attended the qualifying events for these Games, and also for all those who have put efforts and resources so that Beach Wrestling is showcased in the best conditions possible during these Games. UWW will contact the ANOC to highlight these consequences on our stakeholders and our sport and receive some responses to our questions.”

The decision at such late notice prevents ANOC from being able to find an alternative host.

In his letter the president also confirmed that UWW will work on solutions and a possible alternative event in the calendar.

Find the official statement from the ANOC World Beach Games below:
It is with great surprise and extreme disappointment that ANOC has learnt that the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) has withdrawn from its commitment to host the ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly in August 2023.

With the Games scheduled to take place in one month, the decision at such late notice prevents ANOC from being able to find an alternative host and so there is no option but to cancel this year’s edition of the Games in Bali in August as well as the ANOC General Assembly. Regarding the ANOC General Assembly, a decision will be taken in the coming weeks regarding a new location and dates.

The KOI stated the decision was taken after the budget was not released by the Government of the country and there is now not time to deliver the Games. ANOC is very disappointed by the KOI’s actions which will deny athletes from 100 qualified NOCs from fulfilling their ambitions of competing at the Games.

ANOC offers its sincere apologies to these NOCs, athletes and the International Federations (IFs) who have been committed partners of the event, and to the fans around the world.

While there have been challenges in the Games preparations, as at any major multi-sport event, ANOC had been regularly assured by the KOI that solutions would be found and the Games would go ahead as planned.

ANOC and the KOI met for weekly coordination meetings, as recently as last week, and at no point did the KOI indicate there were any issues that would lead to such an outcome.

ANOC’s immediate priority is to ensure the athletes are supported and the NOCs and IFs are compensated as best as possible in light of the Games cancellation.