Canada continues to lead the USA in the ‘battle of the two gay games’ when it comes to registrations of individual participants in the events which are just over six months away.

Organisers of the 7th Gay Games, set for Chicago between July 15 and 22, announced today (January 31)  that they had more than 8,000 registered - a figure that was “ahead of expectations”.

While in Montréal, a spokesperson for the first World Outgames, being staged between July 29 and August 5, said their registrations were just over 10,000.

“We are excited to announce that more than 8,000 participants from more than 30 countries have committed to attending the 7th Gay Games,15-22 July 2006,” read the press release from Chicago.

“Year-end campaigns designed to increase the number of registrations in team sports were wildly successful and the pace hasn’t slowed much since January 1,” said Brian McGuinness, Gay Games executive director.  “Our registration rates to date are ahead of expectations and we may exceed our forecast of 12,000 participating athletes and artists in Chicago next July.”

Pascal Dessureault, the press secretary for the Montréal organisers of Outgames, said that they were still “considerably” ahead.

“We have more than 10,000 who have not only registered but have paid their registration fees,” he said.  “Our last official audit in December showed that that 9,480 had paid and our next audit in a the coming weeks will show a considerable increase that will top 10,000.”

Cost of individual registration for Gay Games is $175 plus a minimum of $35 for each sport entered.  Outgames registration is $270 which includes entry into one sport – there is an addition $65 for entry in another sport up to a maximum of three.  Note: costs are all in US dollars

Both events have an increased late entry fee which comes into effect on April 15 (Chicago) and May 1 (Montréal).

While the cost of participation is considerably lower in Chicago, some potential competitors have probably been put off by the US Government’s rule that non-US citizens who have HIV/AIDS cannot legally enter the country.

Chicago organisers are hoping for a “designated event status (DES)” from the Government, as was the case at the New York Gay Games in 1994.  If granted, HIV-positive competitors will be able to apply for a visa waiver to the DES event and not even have to declare their medial condition.  Organisers are awaiting a ruling from the US Government.

Canada, on the other hand, has no such restrictions.

Dessureault said that Montréal Outgames had received a $1.4 million grant from the Canadian Government as well as supportive funding from the Province of Québec and the city of Montréal.

At the beginning of December, Chicago claimed 4,500 confirmed registration, while Montréal said they had around 9,500

LINKS

Chicago Gay Games website
Montréal Outgames website