According to the organizers, the event is designed to be a friendly meeting of amateur athletes from medical professions. But the event does have an Olympic-style flavor, with an opening ceremony, medal presentations, and a central village area where participants socialize. The first World Medical Games were held in 1978 in Cannes, France. The event is open to physicians, dentists, veterinarians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and fourth-year medical students. Sports include soccer, golf, handball, judo, rugby, track and field, weight lifting, fencing, swimming, windsurfing, half marathon, squash, tennis, table tennis, shooting, triathlon, sailing, volleyball, basketball, cycling, and mountain biking.
Most sports have age-group divisions.
Symposium topics usually feature sports medicine themes. Last year's topics included sports nutrition and immunization for athletes. When the talks aren't offered in English, translator headphones are available. American physicians who attend the symposium can earn up to 30 hours of AMA Category 1 credit. The World Medical Games are well attended by members of the European medical community, but organizers are hoping to attract more participants from the United States and other countries.