THE TEAM HOPING to bring the 2018 Gay Games to Limerick are set to make their final presentation to the awarding committee today.
The city is vying with London and Paris for the right to host the games. If successful, some 10,000 participants from over 70 nations will arrive to take part in five years time, along with some 25,000 spectators.
The bid team flew out of Shannon for Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday, and will make their presentation to some 100 delegates from the Federation of Gay Games at 6.30pm Irish time. The announcement is due tomorrow.
Held initially in San Francisco in 1982, the Gay Games take place every four years. They generally last over a week and include 32 sporting categories, alongside cultural activities and opening and closing ceremonies.
Should Limerick be successful, the tenth Gay Games would take place in and around Limerick city & county with venues including University of Limerick, Limerick Lawn Tennis Club and Thomond Park.
The Taoiseach has already given his backing to the event — in a letter to the bid committee, Enda Kenny said that an Irish welcome can be guaranteed for everyone who attends, adding: “Ireland is waiting, Do come & join us”.
It’s anticipated the event would bring a boost of €50 million euro to the region in terms of tourism spend, according to organisers.
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