Cleveland is selected to be host of the 2014 Gay Games

[Heidi]

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Sports event could add $60 million to local economy

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The 2014 Gay Games are coming to Cleveland.

A yearlong site selection process came to an exhilarating end for city officials and gay advocates on Tuesday, as they celebrated the announcement as a major victory for the local economy and a boost to the region's reputation as a tolerant and diverse community.

The Federation of Gay Games proclaimed Cleveland the winner in Cologne, Germany, which is the site of next year's games. Cleveland emerged from a trio of finalists that also included Boston and Washington, D.C.

<snip>

The Gay Games is a sports and cultural festival that promotes respect and understanding of the gay community through athletics. Founded in 1982, the quadrennial event will feature 30 sports in which anybody can participate. The Cleveland games will take place from Aug. 9 to Aug. 16 in locations throughout the region, including Akron.

Cleveland was named the host city because leaders here understood the mission of the games and had impressive facilities, co-presidents of the Federation of Gay Games said in a statement. The city's experience in hosting major events was another factor.


Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/125429948422780.xml&coll=2

[Berry Cool]

1. I am excited!

Looking forward to the influx of visitors and money to the city, and showing people from around the world the good stuff about Cleveland. (Everybody already knows about the bad stuff.)

[Ian David]

2. I'm sure he'll be a fine host.

[sofa king]

3. Oh! I have an event: Fire River Dance!

[Botany]

4. Plenty of places to stay

[Chipper Chat]

5. I'm sure John Boehner will give his blessing to the Games.

And I cant wait for Jeanne Schmidt's support.

[fascisthunter]

6. My Sister and Her Wife just went to Cologne Germany

to get the games here in Boston...