CLEVELAND AWARDED 2014 GAY GAMES

The US city of Cleveland has been awarded the right to host the Gay Games in 2014.

The announcement was made last night in Cologne, Germany; the current host city for the 2010 Gay Games.

Cleveland beat out the two other American finalists in the running: Boston and Washington D.C.

According to Outsports, the city has committed $4.5 million to the event, something which is thought to have swung the vote. Few of the seven previous Gay Games have made a profit or broken even.

“Cleveland demonstrated to the Federation of Gay Games that they understood the mission of the Gay Games and our principles of ‘Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best’,” said Kurt Dahl and Emy Ritt , FGG Co-Presidents.

“We were highly impressed by the facilities and infrastructure, the widespread community sport, their financial plan and the city’s experience in hosting large scale sports and cultural events.”

More than 7000 people turned out for a recent rally in Cleveland to promote the city’s bid.

“The City of Cleveland is prepared to roll out the welcome mat to the LGBT athletes, their families and spectators from around the world,” said Cleveland’s Mayor Frank G. Jackson.

The Cleveland Gay Games will take place from 9 to 16 August 2014 and will feature 30 sports, four cultural events, an Opening and Closing Ceremony and various community events.

In 2005, Johannesburg mounted a bid for the 2010 Gay Games, but lost out to Cologne, Germany; reportedly in a very tight race.