The 2014 Gay Games, also known as Gay Games 9, 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.
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]
Sponsors
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]
At 99 years old,
Ida Keeling set an international sporting record at the 2014 Gay Games, becoming the first person in the 95-99 age category to run the 100 meters in an internationally certified race, running the race in 59.8 seconds.[50]
Brian Jacobson, at age 40, lowered the Masters long course world record in the 50 free to 23.31.[51]
Kinnon MacKinnon, at age 28, became the first openly transgender man to earn a gold in powerlifting at the Gay Games.[52]