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Cleveland Plain DealerSports event could add $60 million to local economyWednesday, September 30, 2009
The 2014 Gay Games are coming to Cleveland.
A yearlong site selection process came to an exhilarating end for city officials and gay advocates on Tuesday, as they celebrated the announcement as a major victory for the local economy and a boost to the region's reputation as a tolerant and diverse community.
The Federation of Gay Games proclaimed Cleveland the winner in Cologne, Germany, which is the site of next year's games. Cleveland emerged from a trio of finalists that also included Boston and Washington, D.C.
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The Gay Games is a sports and cultural festival that promotes respect and understanding of the gay community through athletics. Founded in 1982, the quadrennial event will feature 30 sports in which anybody can participate. The Cleveland games will take place from Aug. 9 to Aug. 16 in locations throughout the region, including Akron.
Cleveland was named the host city because leaders here understood the mission of the games and had impressive facilities, co-presidents of the Federation of Gay Games said in a statement. The city's experience in hosting major events was another factor.
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