London’s bid to host the 2018 Gay Games was given a boost today when it was announced it had been shortlisted to go through to the final round.

The London 2018 Committee submitted their bid in February this year after 18 months of hard work to secure the support of a range of LGBT groups up and down the country.

High profile backers of the bid include the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Hugh Robertson Sports Minister, London’s Mayor Boris Johnson and John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, who have all issued statements in support of the bid, highlighting London’s worldwide reputation for tolerance and diversity.

The London team will prepare for the arrival of site evaluation inspectors in July from the Gay Games organisers.  The evaluators will be shown the venues for London’s Games which will include facilities in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and will meet the team and communities supporting their bid.

The cities shortlisted alongside London are Paris and Limerick.  The announcement was made via a video message from the Federation of Gay Games in San Francisco.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “This is fantastic news and a testimony to the hard work of the London Gay Games bid team. London could host a world-beating event in 2018, underlining our city’s reputation as a tolerant place to live and visit. I wish London’s organising team every success as they progress to this next crucial stage of the selection process.”

Alex Davis, Chair of the London 2018 bid said: “We are thrilled that London has been shortlisted to host the Gay Games in 2018.  This is an amazing opportunity to showcase London, and our vibrant LGBT community and we look forward to showing all that London has to offer to the FGG site inspectors in July.”

Voting was carried out by 30 member organisations of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) along with eligible board members.

Notes to Editors

Key Stakeholders:

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London 2018 Gay Games Bid

Sport London is bidding to host the tenth Gay Games in London in 2018. The Gay Games is held every four years; it comprises a weeklong sport, cultural and human rights event. For more information visit:  www.gaygameslondon2018.wordpress.com

The London 2018 Bid Committee has been formed specifically to bid for the Gay Games. Chairwoman Alex Davis and most other members of the committee are all active members in LGBT sport. The Bid is run by a group of volunteers, with expertise in sports, finance, culture and communications, who are giving their time for free.

Federation of Gay Games (FGG)

The FGG ensures that the Gay Games, the largest sports and culture festival in the world open to all, take place every four years under the founding principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™. To learn more visit: www.gaygames.org.

The mission of the FGG, the governing body for the Gay Games, is to promote equality through the organisation of the world’s premiere international LGBT and straight-friendly sports and cultural event. The late Olympian Dr Tom Waddell conceived of the Games, which began in San Francisco in 1982, as an opportunity for gays and lesbians to show the world that their skills and competitive spirit were equal to the rest of humanity.