The 2014 Gay Games was awarded to Cleveland, Ohio, it was announced Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Cologne, Germany, site of the 2010 Gay Games. Chicagoan Dick Uyvari made the official announcement. The other finalists were Boston and Washington D.C.The announcement by the Federation of Gay Games came after a year-long site selection process that culminated in formal presentations by the three bidding cities to the FGG Membership."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."The announcement was carried live worldwide via webcast, and Boston appeared to be favored among online viewers."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 Mayor Frank G. Jackson. "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. The sports and cultural environment here is truly a uniquely Cleveland experience, one they will cherish for years to come."Gay Games IX Sports & Cultural Festival is scheduled to take place August 9-16, 2014. The eight-day event will feature 30 sports, 4 cultural events, an Opening and Closing Ceremony and community and cultural events throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area. Gay Games generate $50 to $80 million in estimated local economic impact in additional to significant ongoing travel and tourism visibility benefits for the host city."We are extremely honored and pleased that Cleveland has been selected to host the 2014 Gay Games," said W. Doug Anderson, spokesperson for Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the bidding organization. "It is truly a privilege to continue Dr. Tom Waddell's legacy and vision in our city — an extremely enthusiastic sports town - where the guiding principles of personal best, inclusion and participation are held dear. We are also pleased to be considered and selected from among two of the greatest cities in the world — Boston and Washington, D.C. — and greatly appreciate the support of both cities as Cleveland hosts the Gay Games in 2014."Multi-sport athlete Shawn Albritton of Chicago said, "This is fantastic news for our fellow gay athletes in Cleveland. I'm sure many here in Chicago are excited at this news, especially since Cleveland is so close."Added Chicagoan Brian Walker: "It's nice to see the Gay Games back again in the Midwest, in a city that values fairness and human rights, and one that historically is an important sports city."Kien Tran, a past Gay Games competitor from San Francisco, is excited to compete in Cleveland, though nervous about the city's summer weather conditions. "I will be running in that crazy muggy heat," he said.Jeff Sheng, a tennis player from Los Angeles who competed at the 2009 World Outgames in Copenhagen and is scheduled to play next summer in Cologne, was thrilled to learn Cleveland won the bid."That's awesome," Sheng said. "I hope everyone in the LGBT sports community is really looking forward to Cleveland, and not negatively. I think it will be a really good experience for everyone.""Congratulations, Cleveland," said Uffe Elbae, President of the 2009 World Outgames. "It is a big opportunity for a city to be a host for an event like this. I'm sure they can create a wonderful event. But I'm still looking forward to the day when a non western city will be the host for either [ the ] Gay Games or the Outgames."
Cleveland and Akron are rolling out the rainbow-colored carpet this weekend in hopes of nabbing the 2014 Gay Games. Site selectors for the Federation of Gay Games are touring the two cities over the next three days to help determine if Northeast Ohio can host the Olympics-style competition.Cleveland is one of three finalists for the sporting event, which is open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation. Boston and Washington, D.C., are the other potential hosts.
''Our key message is about affordability, accessibility and value,'' said Michael Murphy, a spokesman for the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the group that organized Cleveland's bid.
Organizers are holding a free public party — dubbed ''Frivolity'' — at 8 p.m. today at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on Cleveland's lakefront. They hope thousands of people show up to demonstrate their support for the event.The suggested theme for the Cleveland Gay Games is ''My Games Rock.''The Gay Games, held every four years, started in San Francisco in 1982. Chicago and Sydney, Australia, also have hosted the competition. Next year, the event will be in Cologne, Germany.The 2014 host city will be announced Sept. 29 in Cologne. The competition could lure up to 65,000 athletes and spectators to Northeast Ohio, and have a $60 million to $80 million economic impact on the region, organizers say.Even though Cleveland is the official host, Akron would play a large role. Firestone Country Club has volunteered to host the men's and women's golf tournaments. Softball games would be held at Firestone Stadium, the home of the Akron Racers professional team. Rodeo events would be at the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge. And the marathon would follow the route of the established Road Runner Akron Marathon.''This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity,'' said Susan Hamo, president of the Akron and Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is helping with the effort to land the event.She estimated that the economic benefit to the Akron area from direct spending alone could be $12 million. Hamo also said the games would bring national and international exposure to Akron. ''I don't know how we put a price on that,'' she said. Hamo dismissed any potential criticism by anti-gay groups.Three Gay Games site selectors will visit various sports venues, study public transportation and gauge the community's overall desire to host the competition this weekend.''It's a big event,'' said Dennis Sneyers, one of the site selectors who lives in Chicago. ''It's very similar to the Olympics but it doesn't get the media exposure.'' He organized Chicago's bid for the 2006 competition before becoming a site selector. He also has participated in the Gay Games.Sneyers estimated that the event had a $35 million to $40 million economic impact on Chicago. It boosted tourism before and after the competition, and increased the athletic participation of gays and lesbians in the community, he added. Sneyers and the other site selectors will be in Akron on Saturday. County Executive Russ Pry and Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic plan to attend a lunch at Firestone Country Club to offer their support.The site selectors will visit Boston and Washington after Cleveland.For more details about Cleveland's bid or the Gay Games, go online to: http://mygamesrock.org/ or http://www.gaygames.com.
The 2014 Gay Games was awarded to Cleveland, Ohio, it was announced Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Cologne, Germany, site of the 2010 Gay Games. Chicagoan Dick Uyvari made the official announcement. The other finalists were Boston and Washington D.C.
The announcement by the Federation of Gay Games came after a year-long site selection process that culminated in formal presentations by the three bidding cities to the FGG Membership.
"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."
The announcement was carried live worldwide via webcast, and Boston appeared to be favored among online viewers.
"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 Mayor Frank G. Jackson. "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. The sports and cultural environment here is truly a uniquely Cleveland experience, one they will cherish for years to come."
Gay Games IX Sports & Cultural Festival is scheduled to take place August 9-16, 2014. The eight-day event will feature 30 sports, 4 cultural events, an Opening and Closing Ceremony and community and cultural events throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area. Gay Games generate $50 to $80 million in estimated local economic impact in additional to significant ongoing travel and tourism visibility benefits for the host city.
"We are extremely honored and pleased that Cleveland has been selected to host the 2014 Gay Games," said W. Doug Anderson, spokesperson for Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the bidding organization. "It is truly a privilege to continue Dr. Tom Waddell's legacy and vision in our city — an extremely enthusiastic sports town - where the guiding principles of personal best, inclusion and participation are held dear. We are also pleased to be considered and selected from among two of the greatest cities in the world — Boston and Washington, D.C. — and greatly appreciate the support of both cities as Cleveland hosts the Gay Games in 2014."
Multi-sport athlete Shawn Albritton of Chicago said, "This is fantastic news for our fellow gay athletes in Cleveland. I'm sure many here in Chicago are excited at this news, especially since Cleveland is so close."
Added Chicagoan Brian Walker: "It's nice to see the Gay Games back again in the Midwest, in a city that values fairness and human rights, and one that historically is an important sports city."
Kien Tran, a past Gay Games competitor from San Francisco, is excited to compete in Cleveland, though nervous about the city's summer weather conditions. "I will be running in that crazy muggy heat," he said.
Jeff Sheng, a tennis player from Los Angeles who competed at the 2009 World Outgames in Copenhagen and is scheduled to play next summer in Cologne, was thrilled to learn Cleveland won the bid.
"That's awesome," Sheng said. "I hope everyone in the LGBT sports community is really looking forward to Cleveland, and not negatively. I think it will be a really good experience for everyone."
"Congratulations, Cleveland," said Uffe Elbae, President of the 2009 World Outgames. "It is a big opportunity for a city to be a host for an event like this. I'm sure they can create a wonderful event. But I'm still looking forward to the day when a non western city will be the host for either [ the ] Gay Games or the Outgames."
0%
