Paris wins right to host 2018 Gay Games
Paris got one over on London on Monday when the French capital won the right to host the 2018 Gay Games. The news came a day after London had dethroned Paris as the "best city in the world", according to a biennial global survey.
Paris won the right to host the 2018 Gay Games on Monday erasing memories of their defeat to German city Cologne for the 2010 edition.
Paris saw off rivals London and the Irish city of Limerick for the honour of hosting what started out in 1982 as the Gay Olympics.
They had to change the name to the Gay Games a few weeks before the inaugural event in 1982 after legal objections by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) over name rights.
The Gay Games are organised along the lines of the Olympics and bring together around 15,000 athletes from across the globe, without any restrictions on competitors age, religion, nationality or indeed sexuality. The overall aim of the event is to fight against all forms of discrimination in the world of sport.
The 2014 edition - which is a sporting and cultural event - is being hosted by Cleveland and Akron in the United States.
The decision to hand to the Games to Paris ahead of London will be a shot in the arm for the French capital and came just a day after it was knocked off its perch as the "Best City in the World" by its rival from across the Channel.
However, it is unlikely to make up for Paris's disappointment in losing out to London for right to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
But despite losing out Paris looks set to bid again, this time for a chance to host the 2024 Olympic Games. Sporting authorities in France have suggested they are considering a bid, which if successful would see the Olympics return to Paris 100 years after it last held the sporting event.
SEE ALSO: Gay marriage: ten most provocative statements
Don't miss a story about France - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
Comments
See Also
Paris won the right to host the 2018 Gay Games on Monday erasing memories of their defeat to German city Cologne for the 2010 edition.
Paris saw off rivals London and the Irish city of Limerick for the honour of hosting what started out in 1982 as the Gay Olympics.
They had to change the name to the Gay Games a few weeks before the inaugural event in 1982 after legal objections by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) over name rights.
The Gay Games are organised along the lines of the Olympics and bring together around 15,000 athletes from across the globe, without any restrictions on competitors age, religion, nationality or indeed sexuality. The overall aim of the event is to fight against all forms of discrimination in the world of sport.
The 2014 edition - which is a sporting and cultural event - is being hosted by Cleveland and Akron in the United States.
The decision to hand to the Games to Paris ahead of London will be a shot in the arm for the French capital and came just a day after it was knocked off its perch as the "Best City in the World" by its rival from across the Channel.
However, it is unlikely to make up for Paris's disappointment in losing out to London for right to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
But despite losing out Paris looks set to bid again, this time for a chance to host the 2024 Olympic Games. Sporting authorities in France have suggested they are considering a bid, which if successful would see the Olympics return to Paris 100 years after it last held the sporting event.
SEE ALSO: Gay marriage: ten most provocative statements
Don't miss a story about France - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.