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LGBT multi-sport event in Ohio, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2014 Gay Games, also known as Gay Games 9 or Gay Games IX, were an international multi-sport event and cultural gathering organized by, and specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) athletes, artists and musicians.[1] It was held from August 9 to August 16, 2014 in Cleveland, with some events being held in the nearby city of Akron, Ohio. An estimated 8,000 athletes from more than 50 nations participated in 37 sports and cultural events.
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Host city | Cleveland Akron |
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Country | United States |
Motto | Go all out |
Nations | 50 |
Athletes | 8,000 |
Events | 37 sports |
Opening | August 9, 2014 |
Closing | August 16, 2014 |
Opened by | Barack Obama |
Main venue | Quicken Loans Arena |
Website | www |
Bids |
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Cancelled |
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According to the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), fourteen cities expressed interest in hosting the event. During its annual meeting in Cape Town on October 28, 2008, the FGG announced that four American cities made the deadline and were thus in the running to host the games: Boston, Cleveland, Miami, and Washington, D.C. Of these cities, Boston, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C. submitted bid books by the deadline. The FGG selected Cleveland as the host city on September 29, 2009 during its annual meeting in Cologne, Germany.[2][3][4]
On April 13, 2013, the Cleveland Foundation announced a US$250,000 grant as the presenting sponsor of the event, which was to be known as "The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation," marking the first time the Gay Games had had a presenting sponsor.[5] In addition to local support from sponsors such as the Cleveland Clinic, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cleveland Indians, the Games saw major corporate sponsorship from large companies like Coca-Cola, Marriott, and United.
The United Church of Christ became the first religious denomination to be a major sponsor of the Gay Games as a fourth-tier silver sponsor of the Gay Games in 2014.[6]
Also announced as a major sponsor was Ernst & Young, with cash and in-kind services.[7]
The Opening Ceremony began at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, at Quicken Loans Arena. Featured stars at the ceremony included singer, dancer and radio host Lance Bass, Broadway actress Andrea McArdle, Alex Newell from Glee, former Olympian Greg Louganis, and The Pointer Sisters. President of the United States Barack Obama made a surprise video appearance.[8][9]
The Games featured 37 disciplines of sport and cultural events throughout Cleveland-Akron region.
Event | Venue | |
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Chorus | ![]() |
State Theatre[31] |
Closing Ceremony | ![]() |
Cleveland Mall[32] |
Opening Ceremony | ![]() |
Quicken Loans Arena[32] |
Team Band Competition | ![]() |
State Theatre[33] |
Event | Venue | |
---|---|---|
Athletics: road races (10k) | Mustill Store Trailhead[10] | |
Football (soccer) | Copley Road Soccer Complex[34] | |
Golf | ![]() |
Firestone Country Club[35] |
Marathon and Half marathon start/finish |
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Akron Civic Theatre[36] |
Martial arts | ![]() |
John S. Knight Center[37] |
Softball[38] | Cascade Valley Metro Park | |
Colonial Salt Field | ||
Firestone Stadium | ||
Track and field | ![]() |
Lee R. Jackson Track and Field Complex (University of Akron)[39] |
Event | Venue | Location |
---|---|---|
Bowling | The Game of Wickliffe | Wickliffe[40] |
Cycling (Criterium) | Downtown Lakewood | Lakewood[41] |
Cycling (Road Race/Circuit Race) | Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation | Brecksville[41] |
Cycling (Mountain biking) | Cleveland Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation | Strongsville[41] |
Figure skating | Serpentiti Arena | Lakewood[42] |
Flag football | Barton-Bradley Recreation Field | North Olmsted[43] |
Ice hockey | OBM Arena | Strongsville[44] |
Pool billiards | Dave & Busters | Westlake[45] |
Rock climbing | Kendall Cliffs Climbing Gym | Peninsula[46] |
Rodeo affiliated event | Summit County Fairgrounds | Tallmadge[47][48][49] |
Ida Keeling set the fastest known time by a 99-year-old woman for the 100-meter dash at 59.80 seconds; at the time the relevant USA Track & Field webpage did not include a 100-meter record for US women older than the 90–94 age division.[50][51]
Brian Jacobson, at age 40, lowered the Masters long course world record in the 50 free to 23.31.[52]
Kinnon MacKinnon, at age 28, became the first openly transgender man to earn a gold in powerlifting at the Gay Games.[53]
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