Discussion: World Games 2021 (USA?)

Birmingham US along with Russia and Peru are three finalists for World Games 2021. Given that Columbia hosted recently and Russia's political situation the US is likely a favourite of the final three. if granted to US then that could be a huge 'carrot' for younger orienteers to train and prepare for. And a huge opp to gain recognition of our sport given likely TV coverage. Winning bid announced in spring 2015.

There is some good terrain down there...

Alabama??

Whoa, that'd be cool! What is coolest sprinty venue in Birmingham area?

We made a Sprint work back 9 years ago at Oak Mountain (mostly via the efforts of Toni Louhisola), but it's a suboptimal venue. I'm sure you can do a lot better in campus-land.

Is Tuscaloosa too far? Just looking at the U of A campus in Google Satellite View, it seems to have some possibilities.

With some portable fencing, anything has possibilities.

After looking at UAB, I'm underwhelmed.... too many parking lots and grid streets. Though, there looks like some complex building/bridge stuff in places.

Birmingham Southern's campus looks nice, though, somewhat reminiscent of Mills College for Team Trials. It looks like it has woods, buildings, topography, and a few arena options, including a small stadium with seating.

These are usually held in summer right? Alabama in the summer..... yikes, a sweaty proposition!!

Qatar has the World Cup.
Money talks, not a dam given about the athletes (prima donnas)

After Japan (2001) and Taiwan (2009) in the summer, Alabama will seem reasonably tame in the heat/humidity department.

Oak Mountain should be great!

Are there cornfields down there?

News from the IOF web site.

Everyone knows Oak Mountain. It is in the top 10 terrains in the US, for sure (and by far the best anywhere in the South). Moss Rock Preserve--within greater Birmingham city limits-- is another excellent world-class terrain, a smaller one.

For sprint, UAB campus is not good--it is very condensed and all-concrete, besides it is adjacent to high-crime nbhds. One might try UA old Golf Course & Arboretum. Of course B'ham Botanical Gardens would be unmatched but no one would allow o'ring there.

Here is a message I got from the Birmingham folks:

We need as much help as we can get with protecting Oak Mountain. There is a plan to build a big, resort-style hotel there. A person in our hiking group put together a web site and FB page.

http://komw.org/ and FB group is Keep Oak Mountain Wild Web site has a link to the feasibility report, survey, petition. They need publicity. Could you spread the word among GAOC orienteers? Right now, survey and petition are very important!

there is also another survey: http://www.pelhamonline.com/oak-mountain-state-par... and we (everybody in our hiking group) put in the comments we oppose hotel in Oak Mountain.

I hope we will be able to keep Oak Mountain wild!

Article on Yellowhammer (Alabama) news site about "bizarre sports".

Thanks to O Aus for the video, though I don't think it's the only orienteering theme song anymore. :-)

Did they get a permit to build the resort?

Permit? That won't be a problem

Alabama one of the most corrupt states in the country

So where are these locations?

Forest venues and arenas at #theworldgames2021 beautiful, interesting, positive surprise. Look… https://t.co/SIkwOEAaiG

— IOF_orienteering (@IOForienteering) September 20, 2016

Advance planning for #theworldgames2021 great areas for the sprint events @ Birmingham, Alabama https://t.co/AsNm5xijV2

— IOF_orienteering (@IOForienteering) September 20, 2016

For the forest races, my guess would be Oak Mountain.

No clue on the sprint venue; I've never been in Birmngham.

The map shown is definitely Double Oak Lake in Oak Mountain State Park, though that doesn't mean it's the actual area they're planning to use.

I don't know about the sprint either, though I'll note that the statue shown isn't anywhere close to being the most noted statue in Birmingham.

@ JJ

The stony-field photo next to the map is not taken in OM, "guaranteed", it is almost certainly from Rock Moss Preserve in Hoover.

With the USA a host nation does Canada have to send a team as a second North American entry?

@Gord: participation based on WOC results and IOF discretion. for WG2017 Canada is ranked top non euro country so will most likely get a full team.

yurets, slim chances for orienteering there?

"The most unique natural communities in Moss Rock are sandstone glades. Sandstone glades are composed of scattered trees, grasses and wildflowers growing on large pavement-like rock outcrops. Many of the small, stunted trees are natural bonsai and may be hundreds of years old. The glades contain several rare plant species, including Nuttall’s rayless goldenrod. All of these plants can be killed by soil compaction, usually caused by excessive foot-traffic. Therefore, the locations of the glades have not been listed on the initial trail map. Special trails will be routed to allow observation but minimize impact. In the meantime, it is best to visit the glades with a trained naturalist. If you do visit the glades, please be conscious to step only on rocks and avoid stepping on the islands of plants. These plants literally grow between a rock and a hard place so please don’t disturb them!"

The Glades area is insignificant in size, maybe less than 1/4 sq. km. Also it is compact.
IMO this area needs to be better protected, but the rest of the park is enough for an interesting classic-long course.