After the two first editions held in Rome – Italy (1995), Zagreb – Croatia (1999), CISM (the International Military Sports Council) has organised the 3rd Military World Games in Catania from the 4th to the 11th December 2003.

Despite the unusual time of year for the organisation of such competitions, and to the late postponement of the Games (from September to the December), 84 Armed Forces and 2,215 athletes have been competing during 1 week in 11 different sports.

High level sports (several CISM records were broken at this occasion), Fair-play and Solidarity are the key-words to describe what happen during those 3rd Military World Games.

Twelve Nations participated in the lifesaving competitions with both men and women athletes: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, United States, Finland, Italy, The Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. In total 69 athletes participated from which 23 women and 46 men.

Results

Women:

• 50m manikin carry:
  1. H. John (CAN): 40’41,
  2. K. Tochrnaja (RUS): 40’46,
  3. D. Song (CHN): 41’78
  
• 100m manikin carry with fins:
  1. L. Zheng (CHN): 58’11,
  2. S. Wang (CHN): 1.01’95,
  3. H. John (CAN): 1.04’23
  
• 100m manikin tow with fins:
  1. D. Song (CHN): 1.01’91,
  2. L. Zheng (CHN): 1.02’11,
  3. H. John (CAN): 1.06’53
  
• 100m rescue medley:
  1. D. Song (CHN): 1.22’08,
  2. S. Jordis (AUS): 1.24’25,
  3. K. Tochrnaja (RUS): 1.25’79

Men:

• 50m manikin carry:
  1. M. Locchi (ITA): 31’74,
  2. M. Wolf (AUS): 31’84,
  3. M. Rigamonti (ITA): 33’32
  
• 100m manikin carry with fins:
  1. G. Proietti (ITA): 51’83,
  2. Z. Li (CHN): 52’21,
  3. P. Olander (SWE): 52’63
  
• 100m manikin tow with fins:
  1. F. Mastrostefano (ITA): 56’23,
  2. Z. Li (CHN): 56’44,
  3. M. Gentili (ITA): 59’13
  
• 100m rescue medley:
  1. M. Rigamonti (ITA): 1.08’12,
  2. S. Vasilenok (RUS): 1.08’15,
  3. M. Wolf (AUS): 1.11’42
  
• 200m super lifesaver:
  1. G. Proietti (ITA): 2.16’70,
  2. A. Vasilenok (RUS): 2.27’09,
  3. F. Mastrostefano (ITA): 2.28’69

Relay (men, women):

• 4×50 m obstacle relay:
  1. Italy: 1.46’88,
  2. Russia: 1’47.06,
  3. Austria: 1.50’15
  
• 4x25m manikin:
  1. Italy: 1.15’07,
  2. Russia: 1.18’13,
  3. Austria: 1.26’21
  
• 4x50m medley:
  1. China: 1.32’94,
  2. Russia: 1.35’90,
  3. Sweden: 1.37’68

Total ranking:

1. Italy: 274pts,
2. Russia: 260pts,
3. Canada: 229pts,
4. China: 208pts,
5. Austria: 208pts,
6. Belgium: 123pts,
7. Sweden: 109pts,
8. The Netherlands: 86pts,
9. Switzerland: 65pts,
10. United States: 46pts,
11. Turkey: 24pts,
12. Finland: 12pts.