By Liam Morgan

The FIRS have announced their inaugural World Roller Games will take place in Barcelona ©FIRSThe International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) have announced the inaugural edition of the FIRS World Roller Games in 2017 will take place in Barcelona.

At a Congress held in the Italian capital of Rome, representatives from more than 60 countries were present for the decision between Barcelona and Lima in Peru.

The FIRS also announced at the same meeting that the 2016 Speed Skating World Championships will be staged in Nanjing, China, wthe host city for last year's Youth Olympics Games, and the 2016 Artistic World Championships are scheduled to be hosted by Novara, Italy.

As well as the confirmation of the host cities for future major events, the FIRS launched a new logo, designed to incorporate the many sports that make up the federation as they bid to improve their corporate image.

"The World Roller Games will be a spectacular event gathering for the first time in one city the world championships of ten roller disciplines: artistic, speed, rink hockey, inline hockey, roller freestyle, skateboarding, inline freestyle, inline downhill, roller derby and inline alpine," FIRS President Sabatino Aracu said.

"Chosing Barcelona meant to confirm the great appeal both this city and the roller sports have on youth and I am sure it will be a great opportunity for both."

SportAccord and International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer was in attendance at the Congress in Rome where the announcements were made ©Getty ImagesSportAccord and International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer was in attendance at the Congress in Rome where the announcements were made ©Getty Images



The congress was attended by several stellar names in the sporting world, including SportAccord President Marius Vizer as well as IOC member Mario Pescante.

The announcement comes as roller sports attempts to become part of the Olympic programme after the International Olympic Committee unanimously passed their Agenda 2020 reform, which opened up the possibility of more sports being added to the Games.

Under Agenda 2020, there is no limit on the amount of sports that can form the Olympic schedule, but roller sports faces stiff competition from baseball softball, skateboarding, surfing, karate and squash.

The IOC have said a decision on additional sports will be made at the IOC Session in 2016 ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.

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