Today marks the start of EuroGames 2015 – one of the world’s largest LGBT – sports events.

Over 5000 athletes from 71 nations are to gather in Stockholm to compete in 27 different sporting events.

“Sport is not as far ahead as the rest of society when it comes to LGBT issues. We hope to improve and change that through these competitions”, says Jakob Jansson, President of this year’s event.

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 will begin today (August 5) with an open event allowing visitors to try out some of sports that will feature in the four day event – with wheelchair basketball, running and boxing all available.

The opening flag ceremony will begin at 7pm, former swimming and boxing world champion Mikaela Destiny Laurén giving the opening speech.

The ceremony will also feature a speech from Sweden’s minister for health care, public health and sport, as well as a performance from drag show group Diamond Dogs.

The games will feature a wide variety of sports, from swimming – which is the first event – to the European Same-Sex Dance Championships and the world’s first LBGT Ultra Marathon – which will mark the end of the games.

The EuroGames will also feature a host of political and a cultural events, including speeches, lectures and discussions on LGBT inclusion in sport.

Cultural highlights include an array of art and LGBT film, aiming to promote the discussion of LBGT and gender issues

The EuroGames will run until Saturday (August 8), when a closing ceremony will honour all of the events winners.