Following the appointment of Constance Terrier as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the International World Games Association (IWGA) acknowledges Joachim Gossow’s 25 years of service to The World Games movement, including the past 16 years as the IWGA’s CEO.
Joachim Gossow has served The World Games movement since 2002. He was Sports Director of the Organising Committee for The World Games 2005 in Duisburg, Germany, before becoming the IWGA Sports Director in 2007. He then served as IWGA CEO from July 2010.
During his years of service, Gossow contributed to the development of the Association, supporting its governance, building up its financial resources to a solid status, opening the IWGA Headquarter in Lausanne, its staffing at the office and its collaboration with external experts, the international profile of The World Games, and cooperation with Member Federations, National Olympic Committees, National Sports Organisations, host cities, partners and the International Olympic Committee.
His active service with the IWGA concluded following the 2026 Annual General Meeting in April. Much to his regret, he was unable to use the occasion of that meeting to express his deep gratitude for the years of constructive collaboration and the relationships built over the course of bis career. Mr. Gossow said: “To all those with whom I had the privilege of working for so long, and whom I will unfortunately not see again, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks for our successful work together over such a long period".
During his tenure, Gossow contributed to the successful delivery of six editions of The World Games and supported the continued development of the IWGA within the international sports movement. The IWGA thanks Joachim Gossow for his contribution over 25 years of service to The World Games movement.