Cape Town Fails in 2030 Gay Games Bid
Cape Town Fails in 2030 Gay Games Bid
After a highly competitive bidding process and a presentation in Washington, DC, that earned a standing ovation, Cape Town's hopes were dashed as the city failed to secure enough votes to advance to the top three finalists. Members of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) voted virtually over the weekend to determine the three most promising candidate cities. Denver, Perth, and Auckland are now in the running to host the Gay Games in 2030.
“I am incredibly proud of our bid and the work that went into creating a world-class proposal and presentation,” said Ian McMahon, who has championed bringing the event to the Mother City for over a decade and supported Cape Town’s 2030 Gay Games bid team.
Cape Town Fails to Reach the Final Stage
Despite strong support from the city’s mayor and a standing ovation during its presentation in Washington, DC, Cape Town did not advance in the bid to host the Gay Games 2030. The project team announced on Thursday that the city did not garner enough votes to make the final list of candidate cities.
Following a weekend of virtual voting, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) revealed that Denver (USA), Perth (Australia), and Auckland (New Zealand) are the three finalist cities moving forward in the competition.
Reactions from Cape Town’s Bid Team
David Ryan, co-chair of Cape Town’s bid team, commended the passion and professionalism shown by the team throughout the process.
“Our team has shown immense commitment and passion from the very beginning, and I want to thank them for their enthusiasm and professionalism,” said Ryan. He also expressed gratitude to the city of Cape Town, LGBTQ+ organizations, and human rights advocates who supported this initiative.
Ian McMahon, a long-time advocate for the bid, acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the importance of long-term goals.
“I am extremely proud of our bid and the work that went into creating a world-class proposal and presentation,” said McMahon. “While this result isn’t what we hoped for, our journey is far from over. We aimed to use the Gay Games as a platform to spark necessary conversations, redefine perceptions of what it means to be queer in Africa, and leave a legacy of lasting change across the continent. We can still achieve these goals, even if not in the way we originally envisioned.”
Read also: Guadalajara Gay Games 2023
(The most recent Gay Games took place jointly in Hong Kong and Guadalajara, marking a historic edition of the event.)
Read also :
A Rigorous Selection Process
The selection process for hosting the Gay Games began in December 2023, with 21 cities worldwide expressing interest. Cape Town steadily progressed, making it to the top 10 in May 2024, and then advancing to the final seven in August after submitting a detailed bid outlining its capability to host the 13th edition of the Gay Games.
The Gay Games, the world’s largest LGBTQIA+ cultural and sporting event, are held every four years. Despite previous attempts, including Cape Town’s bid in 2016 and Johannesburg’s near-win in 2005, no African country has ever hosted the event.
Congratulations to the Finalists
Austin Manning, head of site selection for the FGG, praised the efforts of the three finalist cities.
“Each city has worked incredibly hard to present itself as a potential host and clearly highlighted its unique culture and character in its proposals. This milestone is not just about selecting a city but envisioning a future where LGBTQ+ sports and culture, alongside our shared values, shine brighter than ever,” said Manning.
The finalist cities will now refine their bids, with site visits and a final vote scheduled for October 2025. The winning city will then be announced.
Cape Town’s Future as a Global LGBTQIA+ Hub
Although Cape Town will not host the Gay Games 2030, the city has achieved a significant milestone by being selected to host WorldPride in 2028. This success underscores Cape Town’s growing reputation as an inclusive destination for the LGBTQIA+ community and ensures its role in promoting queer culture and dialogue on a global scale in the years to come.
[AWL-BlogFilter blog_col_large_desktops="col-lg-4" blog_image="yes" blog_image_quality="medium" blog_image_hover_effect="hover1" blog_title="yes" blog_title_color="#000" blog_title_font_size="25" blog_desc="yes" blog_desc_characters="100" blog_desc_font_size="14" blog_desc_color="#606060" blog_desc_box_color="#EDEEF0" blog_read_more="yes" blog_read_more_text="Read More" blog_date="yes" blog_pagination="yes" blog_filters="yes" blog_all_text="All" blog_search="yes" blog_search_text="Search" blog_buttons_color="#58BBEE" blog_filtering="blog_category" selected_categories="51" custom-css=" " ]Stay updated on the latest in LGBTQ+ sports by visiting Queer Vibes Magazine. From groundbreaking events to inspiring athletes, explore stories that celebrate diversity and inclusion in the world of sports. 🌈⚽
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire