Cleveland Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for 2014 Gay Games

I know, I know—everyone’s in the dumps because Chicago didn’t land the 2016 Olympics. Chins up, Midwesterners! Have I got good news for you! Cleveland, Ohio has been chosen to host the 2014 International Gay Games.

Now I know that knee jerk reaction is going to knock those front teeth out; I’m sipping through a straw myself right now. Cleveland, aka “The Mistake By the Lake,” where the Cuyahoga River was cover ed with so much oil and debris it kept catching on fire?

Yes, that Cleveland. But everything’s OK now. The last fire was way back in 1969, and it’s a completely different city now. Meanwhile they’ve held the International Children’s Games in 2004, the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2007, and the U.S. Figure Skating Championships just this year. They wouldn’t let international kids there unless it was fun and safe right?

Cleveland won the bid by clinging to its near mid-Western roots. Boston said, “We’re Boston.” D.C. said, “We’re D.C.” Cleveland said, “We’re not," said bid spokesperson W. Doug Anderson.

But just what IS Cleveland?

Drew Carey made it famous, or is it the other way around? Jesse Owens grew up in there. With the Cleveland Browns at 0-3 and the Cleveland Indians sitting next to last in their division, I’m sure the city is ready for some different sports. Here’s what the mayor has to say:

“The City of Cleveland is prepared to roll out the welcome mat to the LGBT athletes, their families and spectators from around the world. Fans of the Gay Games will find that Cleveland is a great place to celebrate sports and culture and that we have tremendous assets and amenities for them to enjoy. The sports and cultural environment here is truly a uniquely Cleveland experience, one they will cherish for years to come.”

When 2014 rolls around 12,000 athletes and 100,000 tourists will show up. Until then I’m going to save up bus fare. It’s only 365 miles from Philly to there and I plan on making a road trip. What do you think? Is Cleveland gonna rock my gay world?

Find more great sports posts from Helen here!