Gay Games: On Target Despite Economy

The organizers of the Gay Games in Cologne, Germany, are projecting better-than-expected registration numbers for the event in 2010.

So far, 2,500 athletes have applied to participate in the Gay Games, which are scheduled to take place July 31 to August 7. About 12,000 are expected to participate in the 34 sporting categories or five cultural events.

"We are ahead of projections at the moment," said Michael Lohaus, copresident of the Cologne Gay Games. "Experience shows that more than half of all Gay Games participants register in the last few months before the opening ceremony. Especially in times of economic crisis, when most people are not able to make long-term decisions, we are more pleased with this overwhelming success."