Focus On The Rainbow

After a delay due to the world economy, Antwerp, Belgium has been named by the Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA) as the host city for the 2013 World Outgames.

GLISA director for Europe Tatjana Eggeling said: “We are very happy to see that the City of Antwerp, the Province of Antwerp and the Flemish Government have taken partnership in the project and will provide both financial and in kind support now and in the years to come.”

Jack Mackenroth (pictured) took home 8 medals for swimming during this year’s games held in Copenhagen. For more info on Mackenroth’s winnings, go to Ethan Says.

More than 5500 participants from 92 countries attended the games in Copenhagen with over 200,000 tourists and locals enjoying the week long event. 25,000 welcomed the athletes at the start of the games and 40,000, if not more were on hand for the closing of the games.

GLISA co-president, Julia Applegate said in an email to the events organizers “everything was absolutely fantastic”.

Although the games went off pretty much unscathed, there were some isolated incidents of attacks on participants which were registered as “hate crimes’”, however fortunately no one was seriously injured. All suspects were caught, charged and jailed by Copenhagen police.

The United States sent 631 athletes and, Denmark aside, was second only to Germany by one member with the largest contingent. The USA won a total of 513 medals including 119 Bronze, 152 Silver and 243 Gold.