Outgames Announces 9,480 Registrants

“With now 9,480 people registered,” explained Ms. Louise Roy, CEO of the 1st World Outgames, “numerous prestigious partners, notably the Governments of Canada and of Québec, the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, along with major sponsors, including Bell Canada, Labatt and Radio-Canada, and a solid team in place, we now know that we will attain our objectives on every level. We will have at least 16,000 participants and 250,000 visitors in Montréal in 2006. We will host the largest LGBT sport and cultural event ever held!” The fall promotion offered teams and groups registering before October 31, 2005, discounts on the registration fee. Late registrants for the promotion will have until November 30 to benefit from the offer.

Participants come mainly from North America with 53%, Europe at 34%, Oceania (Australia and New Zealand) at 9%, Africa at 2% and South America and Asia at 1% each.

The Outgames will offer a program of 35 sports, 6 cultural activities and an International Conference on rights from 26 July to 5 August 2006. In addition, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the Olympic stadium will be televised by Radio-Canada, a first for an LGBT event, Diane Dufresne and the Cirque du Soleil are already confirmed for the Opening Ceremony, and 3 mega-parties will be organized by the BBCM Foundation (internationally known for organizing the Black & Blue Festival for the past 15 years).