Five months
before the first World Outgames, an event resulting from a
contentious split with the Federation of Gay Games in 2004,
is held in Montreal this August, the Gay and Lesbian
International Sports Association announced Friday that
the city of Copenhagen in Denmark will host the
next World Outgames in 2009.
Geoff Lyne, chair
of GLISA's Host Relations Committee, said he was
encouraged by the agreement. "It has been truly
amazing to experience the level of commitment from all
sectors of the Copenhagen community," he said. "It is
clear that Copenhagen has embraced the GLISA model of
partnership and collaboration in the delivery of
Outgames."
According to
GLISA, the Copenhagen city council has committed significant
funds to Phase I of the Outgames project. Martin Geertsen,
mayor of culture and recreation, told GLISA,
"Our administration fully supports the 2009
Outgames and views it as a strategic opportunity to showcase
our city and to demonstrate to the world our capacity
and leadership in hosting large-scale sporting
events." (Advocate.com)