Cleveland to host Gay Games

The US city of Cleveland, Ohio, has been chosen by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) to host the 2014 Gay Games.
The announcement is the culmination of a year-long site selection process that included formal presentations by bidding cities to the FGG Membership Assembly meeting this week in Cologne, Germany, site of the 2010 Gay Games. The two other finalists were also US cities — Boston, Massachusetts and Washington, DC.
“Cleveland demonstrated to the Federation of Gay Games that they understood our principles of ‘Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best’,” FGG co-presidents Kurt Dahl and Emy Ritt said.
“We were highly impressed by the facilities and infrastructure, the widespread community support, their financial plan and the city’s experience in hosting large-scale sports and cultural events.”
Cleveland Mayor Frank G Jackson was equally enthusiastic about his city’s winning 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,” he said.
“Fans of the Gay Games will find that Cleveland is a great place to celebrate sports and culture and that we have tremendous assets and amenities for them to enjoy.”
Cleveland’s 2014 Gay Games IX Sports and Cultural Festival will take place in August 2014. The eight-day event will feature 30 sports, four cultural events, opening and closing ceremonies, and community and cultural events throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area.
While Cleveland’s event is still five years away, local excitement about the news was instant.
“It is great to see the Games returning to North America in 2014,” Team Sydney president Geoffrey Radford said.
“Most of our sporting clubs will be able to participate in their chosen sport in high quality venues. Summer 2014 will be a great time, so note your diaries. But first we are building our teams for the Games in Cologne starting on July 31, 2010.”