Gay Games to focus on future

Gay Games to focus on future

It’s still over a year away, but there was no rest for members of the Federation of Gay Games in 2008 as plans for the Cologne event came together and Federation representatives from around the world met to discuss the future.

2008 was a year for future planning for the Gay Games organisers in more ways than one as plans for Cologne came together and broader issues of future viability and growth were discussed at the annual meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.

It was a sign of the Games’ growing status as an organisation and event that the annual meeting this year was opened by the South African High Court Justice Edwin Cameron, who presented a talk on the constitutional achievements and challenges for the GLBT community.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss boosting participation from poorer African nations by establishing a range of scholarship schemes. Australian FGG representative Kate Rowe was involved with a forum on gender parity in sport in an effort to boost female participation.

The year also saw Australia take a prominent role in the Games, thanks to the appointment of two Aussie ambassadors, former Olympic cyclist Michelle Ferris, and trampolining Olympic winner Ji Wallace. They joined the ranks of Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Judith Arndt and Billie Jean King as official advocates for the event.

In keeping with the forward-thinking approach, the end of 2008 saw plans for the 2014 Games come into focus as the possible host cities were announced: Boston, Cleveland, Miami and Washington DC.

A decision will be made next year, but in the meantime, people can keep up-to-date on developments, registration and deals at www.gayfgames.com.

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