Even MORE misery for Parisians as Cologne, Germany, beats Paris to win the bid to host the 2010 Gay Games
Cologne, Germany, has won the bid to host the 2010 Gay Games, beating out finalist cities Paris and Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) made the announcement on Sunday in Chicago, where the 2006 games will take place during the summer.
The Gay Games are "a quadrennial athletic competition and cultural festival that highlights participation, inclusion and achieving one's personal best while helping to advance the cause of equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community internationally."
"We are thrilled the Federation of Gay Games selected Cologne to host the 2010 Gay Games VIII," said Michael Lohaus and Annette Wachter, co-directors of Cologne's bidding organization.
"As one of Europe's most welcoming and diverse cities, Cologne welcomes the international LGBT community, their friends and families with open arms and promises one of the most exciting competitions in the history of the Gay Games."
In addition to highlighting a city's inclusiveness, diversity and creative spirit, the Gay Games also creates a significant economic benefit for the host city.
"We anticipate great success in 2006, building on the past and preparing for an even better future for the Gay Games," FGG co-president Robert Mantaci said.
Sir Elton John has recently been named as a Gay Games ambassador.
The first Gay Games were held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants.
Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), and Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants).
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