The city of Cleveland, Ohio, has been named by the Federation of Gay Games as the host of the 2014 Gay Games.
The FGG’s announcement concludes a year-long site selection process that culminated in formal presentations by bidding cities to the FGG Membership Assembly meeting held in September in Cologne, Germany, site of the 2010 Gay Games. Boston and Washington, D.C., were also finalists.
“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.
“The city of Cleveland is prepared to roll out the welcome mat to the GLBT athletes, their families, and spectators from around the world,” said 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.”
Cleveland City Council’s passage of Ordinance #1260-09 on September 14 guarantees $700,000 for the Gay Games, and Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau’s pledge of $100,000 for event marketing and promotion contributed to the $4.5 million in local financial support, according to Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the group organizing Cleveland’s bid.
Gay Games historically generate an estimated $50 to $80 million in local economic impact, in additional to significant ongoing travel and tourism visibility benefits for the host city.
Cleveland’s 2014 Gay Games IX Sports & Cultural Festival is scheduled August 9–16, 2014. The eight-day event will feature 30 sports, four cultural events, opening and closing ceremonies at Cleveland Browns Stadium, and community and cultural events throughout the Cleveland and Akron metropolitan areas. – by Nancy Ford
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