Copenhagen to
host next World Outgames

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)