Hong Kong to host Gay Games in 2022

WASHINGTON - The nation's capital lost out on hosting the Gay Games 2022 to Hong Kong, the Federation of Gay Games announced Monday afternoon.

The federation convened to hear the pitches of the three finalists and make a selection Monday in Paris, where the Olympics-like event focused on the LGBT community will be held Aug. 4-12 next year. The federation said it will have 36 sports, 14 cultural events, an academic conference and up to 15,000 participants from 70 countries.

The federation visited the three finalist cities, including Guadalajara, Mexico, in June and July, spending 3 1/2 days in each location.

"The impact that the Gay Games has in host cities is incredible in terms of culture, sport, economic impact, history and most importantly elevating all matters of LGBT+ equality," the federation wrote in a statement.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, D, who flew to Paris with 23 city representatives last weekend to make their pitch, had said that the games would have been a financial boon, with more than 15,000 participants and tens of thousands of spectators likely to attend. She said the city committed to putting $2 million toward the games.

"We think, especially now, it is important for the United States to demonstrate that it is an open and welcoming place, and it is especially important for us as Washingtonians to show that we are an international city and we celebrate sport," Bowser said last week.

The District also made unsuccessful bids to host the 2014 Gay Games and the 2024 Olympics.