The Federation of Gay Games announced that Cologne, Germany has won the rights to host the eighth quadrennial edition of the Gay Games in 2010. Johannesburg and Paris were also contending for the rights to host the Games.

The decision was announced in Chicago, Illinois following presentations by the three contending cities Over 150 delegates of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), the international governing body for the Gay Games, voted on Sunday, 13 November to select Cologne as the next host city after Chicago, where the seventh Gay Games will be staged in 2006.

Financial spin-offs for Amsterdam and Sydney, both previous host cities, each totaled around US $55-million.

James Mathias and Tanya Harford, Co-chairs of the Johannesburg Gay Games Bid Committee, extended their warm congratulations to the Cologne Bid delegation: “Johannesburg and indeed South Africa will be participating in the 2006 in Chicago and the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne to ensure that the legacy of the founding principles of the Games is continued.”

“It is only fitting that a country with the world’s most progressive constitution which embraces the far-reaching doctrines of dignity, equality and inclusive moral citizenship participates and ensures the success of the Gay Games. We congratulate the Cologne Bid delegation – they put in a stupendous effort,” said Mathias and Harford in a joint statement.

As one of the most anticipated and celebrated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) events in the world, this quadrennial international athletic and cultural event expects to draw over 12,000 participants and 15,000 spectators from around the globe.

The Johannesburg Gay Games Bid Committee was formed in November 2005 and heralded an unprecedented public-private initiative between stakeholders from the City of Johannesburg, South African Tourism, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Johannesburg Tourism Company, the South African Sports Commission; corporate sponsors such as Southern Sun Hotels, and broad representation and participation from the Lesbian and Gay community.

“We are proud of our achievements and the fact that Johannesburg was rated so highly by the Federation is one we can be proud of. This project was a monumental undertaking and it is a tribute to each and every South African whom participated that we were able to witness such camaraderie, resolve and dedication to our bid: if nothing else, we can take from this experience the unparalleled commitment between the LGBT community and public stakeholders,” said Jim Mathias.

“Our commitment now is to ensure that the momentum which we gathered during this process is not lost. We must ensure that the LGBT sporting arena is empowered to participate in events of this nature in future by integrating the needs of LGBT sportspeople in provincial and national agendas,” said Tanya Harford.