Tug of war was contested in two weight classes for men at the 1981 World Games. These were the first World Games, an international quadrennial multi-sport event, and were held in Santa Clara, California in the United States. The 640 kg tug of war competition was the first event of the games, as it was held immediately following the opening ceremony at the same location, Buck Shaw Stadium.[1] The Swiss athletes were associated with a club from Engelberg, while the United States was represented by a club from Orfordville, Wisconsin.[2] In an interview during the Games, Albert Sabin, the chief judge of the event, revealed that he was from Birmingham, then hastened to add, "England, not (Birmingham) Alabama."[3]
World Games I athletes grouped by sport at the inaugural opening ceremony; tug of war pulling area marked on foreground for first ever World Games event, which followed the ceremony
The outdoor 640 kg tug of war event was conducted on 24 July 1981. It was the first event of the first World Games.[8][9]