10,000 Participants Now Committed To Chicago 2006 Gay Games

Chicago organizers of the 2006 Gay Games announced today that they now have more than 10,000 participants from more than 45 countries committed to attending the 7th Gay Games, 15-22 July 2006.

“With just 100 days to go before the 2006 Gay Games open in Chicago,” said Brian McGuinness, Gay Games Chicago Executive Director, “our registration rates remain ahead of expectations with 12,000 participating athletes and artists expected to march into the 15 July 2006 Opening Ceremony at Chicago’s Soldier Field.”

Gay Games “Late Registration” begins Sunday, 16 April 2006, with significant fees assessed for those who register late. Gay Games VII registration opened in July of 2004, earlier than any previous Gay Games. “Historically, 20% of Gay Games participants register in the last three months before the big event,” said Suzanne Arnold, Gay Games Chicago Board Co-Chair. “We strongly encourage athletes to register by 15 April 2006 to ensure access to their preferred sport and so they can make appropriate travel and lodging arrangements.”

Sports Reaching Capacity
Badminton, Soccer and Ice Hockey are nearly full. Tennis, Swimming, Volleyball and Basketball are running significantly ahead of projections and organizers encourage participants in each of these sports to register soon. Two sports are full � Golf and Sailing.