London Wants the Gay Games in 2018
August 18, 2010
Drawing on an inspiring show in Cologne, London is bidding to host the Gay Games in 2018, six years after the city is set to host the Olympics in 2012.
Organizers for the 2018 bid spent the week meeting with organizers and have come away highly confident in their chances.
Hosting the summer Olympics in two years time provides an added boost given the array of top notch facilities currently being built in London.
“I would like to state my support to the possibility of the Gay Games coming to London,” said Hugh Robertson MP, Minister for Sport and the Olympics from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
“The Coalition Government is committed to the promotion of sport at all levels, for any gender or sexual orientation – from the Olympics, through to grassroots, community, clubs and local competitions.
“In my role as Minister for Sport and the Olympics, I am the person responsible for Olympic legacy. Providing a sporting legacy from the 2012 Games is my top priority. We are committed to provide a lasting legacy for athletics. It is vital that we use the 2012 Games to get more people involved in sport and to ensure that our elite athletes are receiving the best possible opportunities and we are working closely with our partners to achieve this goal.”
Coordinating the bid is Jonathan Harbourne, founder of the London Raiders softball teams and member of the LGBT Sports Network. He says the UK’s success at the Cologne games gave organizers an added boost for their bid.
“Cologne was so inspiring; they put on an amazing Games. Many Brits came home with medals and the LGBT Sports Network is looking forward to putting on a party to welcome home all the athletes. We’ve come back fired-up to bring the Games to London – taking it to the next level.
"London is in such a strong position to host the games in 2018. The 2012 Olympics will provide the best facilities in the world, as well as generating compelling media coverage to capture the imagination of LGBT people from around the world. Britain has a proud history of inventing international sports, hosting world sporting events, the home to dozens of LGBT sports clubs in every discipline.
"We are also a shining example of a country with excellent protection and equality in law for LGBT people. This is going to be great for LGBT people, great for sport and great for London”.
Close to 850 athletes from the UK competed in this year’s games in Cologne.
Adult participants, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, and ability are welcome to join UK teams for the Gay Games.
