The decision to stage World Games I was finalized in January , 1981 . The organizing efforts were seriously set back when the Games ' promotions agency , Global Sports Management of New York , pulled out in the final months . " It 's a humble beginning to what we think is going to be a hard-earned , but successful and regularly-held international event . It 's a miracle it is taking place at all , " said World Games I promotions and sales coordinator Kent Hertenrath . Kim Un-yong , president of the World Games executive committee , opened the Games with a brief address . “ Our theme is sport for the sake of sport and a total disregard for where an athlete comes from , ” said Kim . Casey Conrad , executive director of the President ’s Council on Physical Fitness , represented U.S. President Ronald Reagan , who had survived an assassination attempt four months earlier , in greeting the athletes . Governor of California Jerry Brown had planned to attend the opening ceremonies . But that summer , when Mediterranean fruit flies were discovered in the Santa Clara Valley , Brown withdrew to focus on emergency eradication efforts
assassination attempt
Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan
1981 World Games