The bid committee behind Limerick’s bid for the 2018 Gay Games are finalising plans ahead of the upcoming appraisal by the site selection team on 3 July.
Last month the Treaty City was short-listed along with London and Paris for the chance to host the inclusive sporting event held every four years, which invites competitors regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, political beliefs, age or athletic ability.
If successful in its bid, Limerick would welcome as many as 12,000 participants and 15,000 spectators during a 10-day period in August 2018.
While the Gay Games by definition offer a safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered participants, about 10 per cent of participants are from outside the LGBT community.
The pending four-day inspection by members of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) committee, which includes an American sports journalist and the former chief of the body that hosted the 2010 games in Cologne, will also be live-blogged via social media.
Limerick representative Cillian Flynn said: “We are delighted to have advanced to the next stage of the bidding process. We have been working on this bid for the last 12 months and to be chosen along with London and Paris is phenomenal.
“We believe that Limerick has the facilities, the resources and the determination to be successful. Limerick will become a sporting and cultural hub during August 2018 and the event will showcase the world class facilities on offer here in the region.”
The majority of the 38 scheduled events are expected to utilise the world-class sporting facilities at the University of Limerick. Meanwhile the inspection team will also tour hotels and venues throughout the city and region, which could benefit from a massive €50m cash injection from tourism during the games.
After the Limerick visit, the site selection team will head to Paris and London before making their decision, which will be announced on 7 October as part of the FGG’s annual assembly in Cleveland, USA – following a final presentation by the Limerick team to sway the voters their way.
Visit.limerick2018.com for more information on Limerick’s bid for the 2018 Gay Games and opportunities for volunteering.
