The shadow of a relocation hovered. But an agreement was signed this Thursday, February 17 between the French Basque pelota federation (FFPB) and the international federation (FIPV): the Basque pelota world championships will take place in Biarritz from October 23 to 29. The Biarritz 2022 Organizing Committee must meet for the first time on March 2, to designate the sites of the competition.
The events should take place at the 30m pediment of Fal, at Plaza Berri, at Jai Alai, all of this in Biarritz. But also on the wall to the left of Bidart, the modern trinquet of Bayonne and Berria trinquet of Hasparren. All of these surfaces will need to be repainted and lit for the event.
First presence of China
If the global coronavirus pandemic does not rebound, South American athletes will come in large numbers, since “these Worlds will serve as their qualification for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile” underlines the president of the FIPV, the Mexican Xavier Cazaubon. In total, 450 pilotari are expected to compete in 150 games in five days. This will also be an opportunity to renew the world pelota bodies. New specialties will appear : frontball, disabled pelota and that’s it feminine. And also a first participation of China in women’s frontball.
– Enric Fontcuberta
A title to defend for France
After a semi-failure in Zinacantepec in Mexico in 2014, France was the most medal-winning country at the last world championships in Barcelona in 2018. With Spain and Mexico, it forms the major trio of pelota nations. Argentina, Uruguay, the United States and Cuba also manage to hang finals, but no other country has won a medal to date, since the first worlds of 1952 in Donostia – San Sebastian.