Cologne Wins Bid for 2010 Gay Games

CHICAGO--Cologne, Germany, was selected as the prospective host city for Gay Games VIII in 2010, the Federation of Gay Games announced. Cologne was selected at the conclusion of an extensive bidding process in which Johannesburg and Paris also sought to host the Games. It will be the second time the Gay Games will be held in Europe.

"Cologne will be a great place for the LGBT athletes from around the world to compete in 2010 at Gay Games VIII. Each of the bid cities brought various strengths, and all were committed to seeing the legacy of the Gay Games continue to open doors for people everywhere through sport," said Kathleen Webster, Co-President of the Federation of Gay Games.

"We are thrilled the Federation of Gay Games selected Cologne to host the 2010 Gay Games VIII," said Michael Lohaus and Annette Wåchter, 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."

"There is a special bond between cities that have hosted the Gay Games," said Suzanne Arnold, co-chair of Chicago Games, the organizing body of Gay Games VII. "We offer Cologne organizers our best wishes and look forward to them becoming a part of the Gay Games legacy that has brought together people around the world over the past 25 years." The only European city to host the Gay Games was Amsterdam in 1998.

The Federation of Gay Games is holding its annual meeting in Chicago this year in part to review plans for the 2006 Gay Games VII. Progress in Chicago is on track with more sponsors, thousands of athletes already registered, and, for the first time, television coverage of a Gay Games.

For information about the Federation of Gay Games, go to www.gaygames.org. For information about Gay Games VII in Chicago in 2006, including details on how to register, go to www.gaygameschicago.org.