Paris to host 2018 Gay Games

Paris is to host the 2018 Gay Games, a boost for France after its adoption of a same-sex marriage law this year and a slap in the face for opponents of the move.

Paris says thank you for being awarded the Gay Games http://www.paris2018.com

Meeting in the US city of Cleveland, which will host next year’s games, the committee chose the French capital over London and the Irish city of Limerick.

The decision goes some way to make up for Paris's failure to beat London to host last year's Olympics and the Gay Games, which will take place on 4-12 August 2018, costs a lot less.

London spent 11 billion euros on the Olympics, in which about 2,200 athletes took part, while Paris will spend just 700,000 euros for 15,000 athletes.

Compared to London's controversial nexly constructed Olympic Village at Stratford, Paris's village will be on the square in front of the city hall and most of the activities will make use of existing infrastructure.

There will be body-building at the Théâtre de la Ville and a half-marathon on the Champs de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

The decision could be seen as a gesture of support for France's gay marriage law, passed this year in the teeth of vocal opposition from right-wing and Catholic groups.

A country’s laws and attitudes towards gays and lesbians do play some role in the decision, Emmy Ritt, a member of the selection committee who lives in Paris, told RFI.

Though, "what’s really more important is the quality of the sports planning, the cultural events, and government and community backing."

Paris city council contributed 20,000 euros to efforts to win the games and Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Sports Minister Valérie Fourneyron.

The Gay Games started in 1982 as the Gay Olympics.

Paris lost to Cologne to host the 2010 games.