Special Gay Games Award to be presented to Sydney

The Federation of Gay Games has announced that a special award will be given to Sydney (and all presvious host cities) of the Gay Games over the past 27 years.

Former hosts, including Sydney, and cities who have bid are invited to send representatives to the Gay Games 2010 in Cologne, Germany, where they will receive a Medal of Honour.

In an open letter to all hosts and cities who have bid in the past, Emy Ritt & Kurt Dahl co-presidents of FGG wrote: “Although it is a joyous occasion for the organisation selected to host the Gay Games, we recognise the disappointment felt by those not chosen, and heartily applaud all candidates for having believed in the Gay Games with the strength and passion required to bid and host this life-changing event.”

The Gay Games are held once every four years. Conceived by Dr Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, the first Games were held in San Francisco in 1982, attracting 1,350 participants. By the time the Games were held in Sydney in 2002, that had swelled to 11,000 participants.

“Without the support of bidders, the Gay Games would not be the premier LGBT international multisport and cultural festival that we know today,” Ritt and Dahl wrote. “Therefore, it seems only fitting to pay tribute to all Gay Games Bidders and to salute them for being key contributors to the almost 30-year Gay Games movement.”

The host city for the 2014 Games will be decided on September 29 in Cologne.