The IWGA, which says it has already received some expressions of interest from possible host cities but does not reveal which these may be, has published on its website a new 150-page bidding document, structured under 18 main chapter headings, to provide guidelines for hosting the second biggest global multisport event after the Olympics.

The organisation reiterated that the host will not be required to build new sports facilities for the Games and said that the whole bidding and awarding process will be completed within a year, with city bids due by July 31, 2014, and the host contract officially signed at the Annual General Meeting in the spring of 2015.

"The newly-released document helps each city's responsible officials to get a good overview of the facts, the requirements for hosting the World Games," IWGA President Ron Froehlich said.

Cali in Colombia hosted the 2013 edition of the World Games ©AFP/Getty Images

The Polish city of Wrocław is due to host the next edition of the World Games in 2017, while Cali in Colombia hosted the 2013 edition, which attracted 500,000 spectators and was watched on television in 120 countries worldwide.

The World Games take place every four years in the year following the Summer Olympics.

The 11-day event sees 4,500 athletes and officials from 100 countries taking part in more than 30 non-Olympic sports, including dance sport, squash, tug of War, sumo and karate, with athletes competing for gold medals in about 200 disciplines throughout the competition.

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